Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center donated a handicap needs-accessible playground to the City of Prestonsburg.

Hospital officials said they were not using it and thought it would be better used in the city.

Mayor Les Stapleton said this is just part of their goal to get more kids outside and active.

“We talk about how we got to get our youth out, get them out playing, get them outdoors. This is an opportunity to start them at a young age to get them to enjoy the outdoors,” explained Stapleton.

Right now, the city only has one other inclusive area.

“It’s an opportunity to give back to the community. As Mayor Stapleton was saying, it’s a great way to get kids out and active,” pointed out Tim Hatfield, Community CEO of Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center. “Right now this park is not doing the hospital any good. So if we can give it to the city, I know Les and his team will make it look really good and it’ll have value.”

This equipment is worth around $80,000.

“If the city succeeds, then we succeed. I think it’s excellent that we are taking a resource that is needed by the city that we’re not really using and donating it,” Anthony Stumbo, Community Chief Medical Officer. “Our rates of obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure are higher than in most places in the country and that starts at a young age.”

The city will install this gift into one of their parks this spring.