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Playground equipment donated for IU hike on China's Great Wall
April 23, 2001
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Although political tensions are mounting between China and the United States, international goodwill soon will be demonstrated at the educational level through playground equipment donations as part of a cultural exchange between Indiana University and the Beijing University of Physical Education.
Approximately 40 students, faculty, staff, administrators and friends from the IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation will leave May 6 for an 11-day trip to China that will include a historic hike along the Great Wall and donation of playground equipment at sites along the way.
"Living well through healthy lifestyles reflects the philosophy of both schools, and we plan to demonstrate this by hiking with our Chinese colleagues and friends," said David Gallahue, HPER associate dean and leader of the trip. "Thanks to significant donations from a number of individuals, as well as corporate sponsors, we will make arrangements during the hike to place playground equipment at five sites along the Great Wall."
The HPER group and about 20 BUPE representatives will spend five days hiking along 50 miles of the wall. On one night the two groups will camp together along the route.
Gallahue said much of the hiking will be along closed sections of the wall. It will be the first official international hike permitted in the closed sections by the Great Wall Commission.
The HPER administrator, an accomplished hiker and back packer, said the trip was arranged to celebrate 10 years of friendship and cooperation between HPER and BUPE that has produced several cultural exchanges. In addition to the hiking, usually from five to eight hours each day, there will be welcome and farewell banquets, cultural events, and daily activities focusing on health, fitness, sport, recreation and leisure.
A Web site is being developed by IU for the trip and will be updated daily to track the progress of the group.
In addition to individual contributors, Gallahue credited three major corporate sponsors: American Play Systems and their suppliers with donating the playground equipment, Federal Express with transporting the equipment to China at a greatly reduced cost, and the Children's Better Health Institute with corporate funding to assist with transportation costs for the playground equipment.
"This tremendous gift made possible by charitable individuals and three major corporations is an investment in the children of China that helps our dream become a reality by leaving a tangible legacy of friendship and cooperation between our two great countries," Gallahue said.
"We believe this gesture of goodwill will help enhance relationships between our two nations at the grassroots level, with the playground donation reminding us of the importance of our children, whether in Beijing or Bloomington, as the upcoming leaders in the world community," he added.
Brandon Stevens, director of marketing for American Play Systems, said each playground set is equipped with a wide variety of recreational activities that will allow children to explore all avenues of their developmental growth. "There will be bridges and tunnels of all shapes and sizes, plus colorful slides and swings with each system," Stevens explained.
Stevens said American Play Systems "is honored to be part of this Great Wall trip. We believe strongly in the mental and physical development of our young children. Each play system helps children enhance their auditory, kinesthetic and visual development on a daily basis."
Joan Durham, president of the Children's Better Health Institute, noted that playground equipment has a universal appeal and knows no barriers of language or ideology. Ross Dalstrom and other officials at Federal Express similarly expressed their enthusiasm for the project and their eagerness to bring the United States and China closer in terms of communication and cooperation.
For more information on the China Great Wall Hike, contact Gallahue at 812-855-1561 or gallahue@indiana.edu