Musical Playground
McLane Children's opens a new handicap-accessible, musical playground!
McLane Children’s brings another element of fun to the healing process with a new musical playground, thanks to gifts from a former music teacher and Baylor Scott & White employees.
Play is a vital part of childhood, with both physical and mental benefits. Play helps children develop strength and coordination, learn to interact with the world around them and build confidence. It is also crucial to their emotional health.
Unfortunately, children in the hospital or those with disabilities often have limited opportunities for physical play. However, with generous gifts from a former music teacher and many Baylor Scott & White employees throughout Central Texas, an accessible musical playground is now open on the McLane Children’s campus for both patient and public use.
The late Dr. Doreen Grimes dedicated most of her career to music education for children and adults at Angelo State University. Upon her death, Dr. Grimes continued her legacy with a gift that would bring joy to both sick and healthy children through music and play.
With help from the music department at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, the playground was designed to include oversized musical instruments, such as bells, chimes and drums, in addition to swings, slides, tunnels and monkey bars. It also incorporates an 11-foot walled amphitheater that can be used for concerts.
This unique playground is intended to be used by all children, including those with limited mobility due to illness or disability. The Physical Therapy department is excited to use this new resource in therapy sessions. Children, families and staff alike are all thrilled that hospital inpatients have a new way to play while they receive treatment, which can significantly boost their morale during what is often a difficult and frightening time.
“We are thankful and grateful for the generosity of our community and employees for making this possible,” says John Boyd III, president and chief medical officer for 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.”