AAOS Playground Build Strengthens Future Generations

Designed by children and constructed by adults…Recently, more than 200 volunteers from American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the City of Kissimmee, Community Vision and Central Avenue Elementary School along with organizers from KaBOOM! and Kissimmee residents teamed up to build a new community playground at Central Avenue Elementary. The playground—built in six hours—was designed in color, with local children using crayons to show the playground of their dreams.

“I am so pleased that our school community will benefit greatly from the Safe and Accessible Playground, ” said Trenisha Simmons, principal of Central Avenue Elementary, in the March 1, 2016 news release. “Our children will have the opportunity for more physical activity, and parents will be able to spend quality time with their children in a safe environment.”

“Active play can help improve a child’s balance, flexibility and strength, and it’s an integral component that helps them build strong bones for life. Play helps keep kids in motion and it minimizes their chances of developing obesity, and bone and joint health issues, ” said orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gerald R. Williams Jr., M.D., incoming president of the AAOS.

Asked what it was like to lead this effort, Dr. Williams told OTW, “We are honored to be able to come full circle with the Academy’s 17th playground build where children with and without disabilities, can play together. This year, we’ve returned to the Orlando area—the site of the Academy’s very FIRST playground build—where we started the program in 2000. As leaders in bone and joint health, this is one way for us to continue to encourage safe, active and inclusive play among children to help them build strong bones for life. The new play space my orthopaedic colleagues and I helped build at Central Avenue Elementary School will serve more than 2, 400 children in Kissimmee, Florida, each year.”

“The ambiance was lively as more than 200 volunteers from the AAOS and community partners assembled this playground in less than six hours. There was a lot of great energy, and throughout the day, school children came out to watch all of the action and thank the volunteers for their hard work. It was great to see that. They’re the reason why we build.”