August 13, 2012

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and McDonald’s Partner Together to Build Playground at South Side

Kay Redfield Jamison, a noted psychiatry professor, once wrote that “children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” To that end, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and McDonald’s today announced their intention to build four playgrounds at local Ys across Chicago.

More than 100 volunteers were on hand today to lay the concrete and foundation to the initiative, literally and figuratively, at the first official playground site at the South Side YMCA, 6330 South Stony Island Avenue. Playgrounds will be open to YMCA members as well as to the entire community.

“With the Y’s focus on active play and healthy living, this playground will help remind families of the simple joy of being active together, and the benefits of physical play and healthy choices,” said Richard Malone, president and CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “We are proud to partner with McDonald’s and KaBOOM! (a national non-profit that promotes play areas within walking distance of every child) on this important project, and we are eager to bring this program to Ys across Chicagoland.”

In addition to Malone, who welcomed volunteers and distinguished guests, including Reverend Jesse Jackson and Senator Kwame Raoul, to the morning’s event, Darell Hammond, the CEO of KaBOOM!, and Don Thompson, the CEO of McDonald’s, also delivered remarks. Thompson spoke of his desire to make today’s build about the kids, and the joy they would receive from playing on this one-of-a-kind playground.

For more information and to stay current on when the initiative might hit your local playground, visit ymcachicago.org.