Would you like a climbing wall or a slide?  Red, blue or yellow?  Those are the decisions children from Reynolds Elementary School, near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ, made in January 2006.  On Playground Design Day, they designed the playground of their dreams – a place where neighborhood children can play together safely.

On March 18, in just seven hours, orthopaedic surgeons from Tucson Orthopaedic Institute, in partnership with teachers and parents and the national non-profit organization KaBOOM!, will lead a team of more than 200 volunteers to physically build the playground at the school at 7450 E. Stella Drive.  Tucson Orthopaedic Institute doctors, their staff, families and friends, along with the TMC Foundation, and other health care and community volunteers have rallied to this effort, raising more than $60,000.

The program is a direct result of a national initiative of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).  Their campaign, Prevent Injuries America!®, is aimed at reducing musculoskeletal injuries.  In 2003, there were 465,000 playground-related injuries treated in the U.S.

Reynolds Elementary, in the Tucson Unified School District, educates almost 500 children in grades K-5. The school has been serving the community since 1972, and many children come from families of the nearby Air Force base.  Their families have lived around the country and around the world.  Many of these parents have served or are currently serving in the Middle East.

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The new state-of-the-art handicapped-accessible playground will replace old metal equipment, which becomes dangerously hot in the Arizona sun. The playground features a new mulch landing pad to help prevent broken bones.  The project will also refurbish playing fields, and

provide seating under existing shade ramadas to accommodate outdoor art projects and activities.

Tucson Orthopaedic Institute doctors are concerned not only about broken bones resulting from playground accidents, but also about those children who do not have the benefit of healthy play.  They see many adults who nowsuffer from bone and joint disease because they did not establish exercise as part of their lifestyle in their formative years.  Building the play space for the Reynolds Elementary School community reflects the physician’s commitment to the importance of play and exercise in building healthy bones and healthy people.

MORE INFORMATION

Tucson Orthopaedic Institute, organizing sponsor of this project, is one of the Southwest’s leading medical practices in bone, joint and muscle disorders for both adults and children.  The medical staff includes orthopaedic surgeons and non-surgical specialists in general orthopaedics and fractures, foot and ankle, hand and upper extremity, joint replacement, orthopaedic oncology, pediatric orthopaedics, spine and sports medicine. The physicians are committed to community education and outreach efforts to promote lifestyles that create strong, healthy bones, joints and muscles. Learn more at www.tucsonortho.com.

Prevent Injuries America! ® is a campaign organized on behalf of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. www.aaos.org

KaBOOM! has been motivating communities nationwide to create healthy play opportunities for young people since 1995.  Utilizing a community-build model that brings together resources from corporate, foundation and community interests, KaBOOM! has created more than 700 new playgrounds and skate parks and renovated more than 1,300 playgrounds.   KaBOOM! headquarters are in Washington, D.C., with offices in Chicago, Atlanta and Redwood City, CA. www.kaboom.org

Tucson Medical Center Foundation, a lead contributing sponsor of this project, supports the charitable mission of TMC HealthCare and is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life in our community. www.tmcaz.com 

Tucson Unified School District is proud to educate over 60,000 students in grades kindergarten through 12. Established in 1867, TUSD is the second largest school district by student population in the state of Arizona. www.tusd.k12.az.us