2013 Safe & Accessible Playground Build

For the past 14 years, the Academy has held a 1-day volunteer build to kick off the Annual Meeting. In Chicago, on Tuesday, March 19, frigid temperatures did not deter volunteers and community members of the Faith Community of Saint Sabina in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood of Chicago from participating in this year’s Safe and Accessible Playground Build. In one day, hundreds of volunteers worked together to turn an empty lot into a child’s dream playground, a place where children with and without disabilities can play safety together.




(Clockwise from top) Volunteers met in the morning to begin assembling the playground. The central playground structure, featuring accessible ramps, a climbing wall, and a slide, nears completion.

AAOS First Vice-President Joshua J. Jacobs, MD, cuts the ribbon and opens the playground to local children.
(Top row, left to right) Jason L. Koh, MD, digs in. The playground features a climbing structures, bouncing seats and an accessible slide.

(Center row) Gregory A. Mencio, MD, takes a break with Michael F. Schafer, MD. Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull blesses Rev. Dr. Michael L. Pfleger, senior pastor from Saint Sabina, as William W. Robb III, MD; Frederick M. Azar, MD; Dr. Schafer; and AAOS First Vice-President Joshua J. Jacobs, MD, look on. Dr. Jacobs gets a hand from Benny the Bull.

(Bottom row) Benny the Bull was a hit with the children. Drs. Schafer, Azar, and Koh huddle for warmth. The Chicago Blues All-Stars kept folks dancing to the music.

2013 Annual Meeting News
Tuesday through Friday, February 19 – 23, 2013.
http://www.aaos.org/news/acadnews/2013/AAOS17_3_20.asp