Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Medical Center opened its newly constructed playground today on the medical center campus.
Construction began in March on the gated 9,561 square-foot playground and was completed late August. The playground in front of the medical center is one of the many expansion efforts supported by philanthropy as well as employees of Baylor Scott & White.
"We are thankful and grateful for the generosity of our community and employees for making this a unique place for all children to receive care and now play," said John Boyd III, president and chief medical officer for Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's. "We want our patients, their siblings, and children in this community to know they have a safe place not only to heal, but to have fun."
Employees donated more than $152,000 last year to develop a mobility-accessible musical playground. With a few months of design and about six months to build, the Americans with Disabilities Act -compliant playground contains areas where children can play side-by-side regardless of age and physical capability. It features an amphitheater with seating, giving children opportunities to conduct concerts using musical instruments located within the playground. The Grimes family provided a generous donation toward the purchase of the playground's musical instruments and, with the assistance of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's music department, the instruments were placed strategically to provide the best possible acoustics.
"The playground also offers therapeutic benefits for all our patients, which can assist in their development and healing," said Ran Samaniego, director of diagnostic and therapy services at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's. "For patients receiving physical or occupational therapy, they get to enjoy the same benefits that children have during outdoor play."
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's endeavors to create a positive environment for children and their siblings if they need medical care on the campus, but importantly wanted to provide the community a place to enjoy fun in a safe, family-friendly environment.
"This playground is for the community and we want everyone to know they are welcome," said Ellen Hansen, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer for Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's. "As our campus grows, we want to make sure we are growing opportunities that incorporate play and engagement for all children."
The McLane Children's playground will be open 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m.- 8:30 p.m. on weekends.
# # #
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com