Phalen's New Playground

A new playground has gone up in the last two days at the George and Veronica Phalen Leadership Academy on the near north side.

Volunteers, mostly from IU Health, are out of this office today putting the finishing touches on the new, colorful Kaboom! playground at the school near 23rd and Illinois streets. Principal Jeremy Baugh says a new law went into effect July 1, allowing access to school playgrounds after hours without schools being held liable.

"It's going to be open to the community on weekends and evenings," he said. "It's going to really be a 'dawn to dusk' playground space for the neighbors."

Lisa Cole with IU Health says creating healthier options for neighborhoods is a goal for the hospital, with nearly one in three Hoosier kids overweight or obese. She says the Phalen playground will help kids stay active and burn calories in a safe environment.