T.J. Regional Health cuts ribbon on new playground for Pediatric Rehabilitation program

GLASGOW, Ky. — T.J. Regional Health held a ribbon cutting Thursday morning to unveil a new outdoor playground designed for children in its pediatric rehabilitation program.

The playground sits just outside the facility’s pediatric rehab department and is reserved exclusively for children receiving therapy, not for public use.

Health officials say the space will serve as an extension of both physical and occupational therapy, helping young patients develop motor skills, balance and coordination in an engaging outdoor environment.

The project has been part of the department’s vision for more than a decade.

 “Since we’ve been here for 13 years, it was part of our plan to eventually provide an outdoor safe space that’s all-inclusive and offers something all children can enjoy,” said Stephanie Smith, director of rehabilitation at T.J. Regional Health. “We know the research says that outdoor play is so important, and a lot of times children who have extra needs are limited on where they can go and be safe in an outdoor setting.”

Smith said funding from the WHAS Crusade for Children helped make the project possible.

“With the help of the Crusade for Children grant, we were able to finish out that dream this year,” she said.

After two years of work and more than $90,000 in investment, officials say children can now enjoy the playground while also improving their cognitive and physical skills.