Todd Schuetz, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons(847) 384-4032, [email protected]
ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVESTO BUILD SAFE, ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUNDOne-of-a-kind Playground of Dreams to be Built for Local Children
DALLAS --The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and coalition partners Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and the Dallas Park and Recreation Department, will provide volunteer labor and funding to build a one-of-a-kind safe, universally accessible playground at Reverchon Park (3505 Maple Avenue) on Tuesday, February 12, 2002, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as a public service and gift to the community. Two national nonprofit organizations, KaBOOM! and Boundless Playgrounds, are also part of the coalition.
The 7,367-square-foot playground exceeds Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines for accessibility and offers important safety features. Included are two wheelchair-accessible, age-appropriate play structures for children ages 2-5 and 6-12, rubber safety surfacing, and signs printed with injury prevention tips that are also provided in Braille. Slides, swings, climbing and balancing activities, sun protection shades and a variety of play stations for imaginary activities make this the first public playground of its kind in Dallas. The playground design was developed from input provided by neighborhood children and adults during a special "Design Day" at Reverchon Park.
Hundreds of orthopaedic surgeons and industry representatives from all over the world will work alongside the Dallas community to build the new playground in a single day so that children with and without disabilities can play together in a safe and accessible environment. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the site on Tuesday, February 12 at 4:00 p.m.
Orthopaedic surgeons are the physicians who surgically treat children's physical disabilities, and see first-hand the fractures, dislocations and other results of playground injuries. "Providing a safe playground where kids with and without disabilities can play together gives us the opportunity to prevent, not just treat, injuries," explains John M. Purvis, MD, Chairman, Public and Media Relations Committee, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
J. C. Montgomery, Jr., president of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, said, "Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this worthwhile project. The hospital is dedicated to the health and happiness of all children, and this playground will provide many hours of enjoyment for children in our community. Children with disabilities and without disabilities will now have a special place to interact and play with each other in a safe and accessible environment."
Building safe, accessible playgrounds is part of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon's ongoing campaign, Prevent Injuries America!(r), aimed at reducing musculoskeletal injuries -- including the 500,000 playground-related injuries treated each year in the U.S. For information on how to prevent playground injuries, visit www.aaos.org. or call 1-800-824-BONES (2663).
Previously, the Academy has built and donated safe, accessible playgrounds for children at Coyote Point Recreation Center in San Mateo, California and Magnolia School in Orlando, Florida. The Academy pledges to build a similar playground each year in the city where it holds its annual meeting. The organization's 69th annual meeting takes place Wednesday, February 13, through Sunday, February 17, 2002 at the Dallas Convention Center and is expected to draw 25,000 attendees to the city.
Working with coalition partners American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and Dallas Park and Recreation Department are KaBOOM!, www.kaboom.org, the national nonprofit organization that leads teams of individuals, organizations and businesses in building safe playgrounds, and Boundless Playgrounds, www.boundlessplaygrounds.org, an organization that advocates for, designs and facilitates the building of universally accessible play areas.
Paul D. Dyer, Director of the Dallas Park and Recreation Department commented, "Reverchon Park is the ideal location for creating a special playground that is accessible to all children, especially since it will be next door to our long-time friend and partner, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. It is also important to note that the completion of this playground further emphasizes how strong partnerships can bring needed resources to our citizens and strengthen our park system."
This playground is made possible through the generous support of orthopaedics industry partners, including DIAMOND SPONSOR Sanofi-Synthelabo.
The 25,500-member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization that provides educational programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public. An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (www.bonejointdecade.org), the global initiative in the years 2000-2010 to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life.
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation's leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopaedic conditions, certain related neurological disorders and learning disabilities. There is no charge for treatment at the hospital, and admission is open to Texas children from birth to 18 years of age. For more information, please visit www.tsrhc.org.
KaBOOM! (www.kaboom.org) is a national nonprofit organization that leads teams of individuals, organizations and businesses in building safe playgrounds.
Boundless Playgrounds (www.boundlessplaygrounds.org) is an organization that advocates for, designs and facilitates the building of accessible play areas.
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department strives to enhance the quality of life for the community by providing leisure, cultural and educational services while preserving, conserving and promoting natural and physical resources. Dallas Park and Recreation Department is committed to making Dallas, leisure and recreational programs and park facilities an ultimate adventure for all visitors.
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