Camp Lejeune, NC – Oct. 12, 2009 – Atlantic Marine Corps Communities, a public-private partnership between developer Actus Lend Lease and the Department of the Navy, is pleased to announce the opening of the first-ever Boundless Playground on a Marine Corps installation. Camp Lejeune’s Boundless Playground will serve the recreational needs of more than 3,000 Exceptional Family Members and Residents, defined as any child or adult service family member with a physical, emotional, developmental or intellectual disorder requiring special treatment, therapy, education, training or counseling. The playground also provides the opportunity for injured Marines to actively participate in the playtime experience.
“A high quality of life of our residents is of the utmost importance to us,” said Dale Connor, Actus Lend Lease executive manager. “The Boundless Playground provides an opportunity for injured Marines to continue doing things that are important to them such as getting out and playing with their families, as well as engaging with others in their community. We’re pleased to be able to offer this amenity to the Camp Lejeune community and look forward to continued enjoyment by residents.”
Boundless Playgrounds are designed to facilitate the way children are naturally drawn to play. The playgrounds are universally accessible allowing everyone to play at his or her own highest level of ability. For example, on a Boundless Playground:
In conjunction with the playground, Atlantic Marine Corps Communities has also opened the Warrior Workout Trail, a unique outdoor rehabilitation and fitness facility for Marines or Sailors with minor injuries at Camp Lejeune. Adjacent to the playground, the Warrior Workout Trail creates an outdoor fitness facility, with special amenities, that allows Military Service Members and their family members a conveniently located place to workout together without limitations. AMCC chose special equipment for the trail so Marines and their families can increase their outdoor activities and eliminate the barriers of typical indoor fitness equipment. The outdoor fitness equipment provides exercise functions for people who would rather be outdoors than in a gym. Kids, adults and seniors can use these exercise stations to enhance their cardiovascular condition, increase flexibility, develop muscle tone, or improve balance and coordination.
There are more than 150 Boundless Playgrounds nationwide. Actus brought the first ever Boundless Playground to a military installation in August 2006 at Fort Campbell, KY.
“More than 7 million children in the U.S. have a disability, some of which are unseen, but still inhibit them from playing on a traditional playground with their family and friends,” said Fred Leone, CEO of Boundless Playgrounds. “We have been impressed with the military’s interest in the Boundless Playground concept and commend Actus Lend Lease for being a leader in bringing them to so many military installations.”
Actus Lend Lease designed the Boundless Playground with the assistance of the National Center for Boundless Playgrounds. Both the Boundless Playground and Warrior Workout Trail were funded by Actus Lend Lease, as well as a sponsorship from Marine Federal Credit Union.
The Boundless Playground Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on Wednesday, October 14 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Bicentennial Community Center at 6498 Bicentennial Avenue, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. For more information on building a Boundless Playground, please visit www.boundlessplaygrounds.org [1].
Links:
[1] http://www.boundlessplaygrounds.org
[2] http://www.atlanticmcc.com/
[3] http://actuslendlease.com
[4] http://boundlessplaygrounds.org
