MCGHealth Children's Medical Center installs new playground to promote physical and occupational therapy

Feb 8 2010

PLAYTIME LLC is pleased to announce the installation of a new, colorful dinosaur-themed indoor playground at MCGHealth Children's Medical Center in Augusta, GA.

"While our new playground is certainly a place for fun, it has also been specifically designed to complement the physical and occupational therapy needs of our patients," reports Barbara Meeks, Vice President, Pediatric Patient Care Services, at MCGHealth Children's Medical Center. "We are thrilled to be able to offer this resource to our families."

MCGHealth worked with PLAYTIME LLC to carefully choose a prehistoric theme and play area pieces that would serve a dual purpose.  

"The flowered tree and the pterodactyl promote climbing and building motor strength, the giant log is a balance beam for working on balancing coordination, and the wall-mounted games and puzzles help with cognition, problem solving and hand/eye coordination," explained Jeff Maerschalk, PLAYTIME business development manager.  "The doctors and nurses tell us that these tools allow the patients to have fun while meeting their therapy goals."

Play is the work of a child and it is a welcomed distraction for patients from chemotherapy, breathing treatments, dressing changes or any of the other interventions that make a hospital stay difficult.

"Some kids won't eat or drink, and so our medical staff uses the play area as an 'incentive'. If the child drinks a glass of water, then he or she can play in the play area for a while," said Kymberly Allen, Manager, Child and Adolescent Life Services. "The play area is not only fun for the kids but is also good for their recovery."

Funded through donations to the Children's Miracle Network and Central Savannah River Area, the new prehistoric-like play park provides safe, indoor entertainment for kids and is a special place where siblings can reconnect with their hospitalized brother or sister or where parents can leave the child's hospital room to play with their child.