MIDLAND BEACH, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy rapidly approaches, Miracle Recreation – one of the nation’s leading innovators in the design and manufacture of playgrounds – has donated a brand-new playground to the Staten Island neighborhood of Midland Beach. Midland Beach was severely battered by Hurricane Sandy, destroying one of the neighborhood’s few playground areas.
Jim Zelter, CEO and Director of Apollo Investment Corporation – which owns Playpower, Inc., the parent company of Miracle Recreation – represented all three companies at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new playground.
The playground refurbishment was a joint effort with NBA Cares, which provided new basketball courts alongside the playground. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was present, along with a group of players and executives from the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, and WNBA teams. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation officials, local dignitaries attended with 175 Midland Beach students ready to test out their newest playground.
Midland Beach is still recovering from Hurricane Sandy’s devastation which destroyed the playground’s infrastructure, ruining the safety surfacing, submerging the area in several feet of water, and littering the grounds with debris. Nearly two years later, the play area is now finally open again to the public. The playground will help children in Midland Beach stay healthy and active, while bringing excitement back into the community.
“The new, custom designed playground provides a unique outdoor entertainment space for children in the area and we hope it will help the neighborhood move beyond Hurricane Sandy’s disastrous effects.” said Mike Sutton, VP of Sales for Miracle Recreation. “Miracle Recreation would also like to thank Sal Romanello of PlaySafe Playground Systems of NY, Inc. for the design of this beautiful playground.”
The nautical-inspired playground features a pirate ship theme perfect for children ages two to five. Across the play space, older children, ages five to 12, can explore the lighthouse themed Miracle Mega Tower® that reaches 25-feet in the air, providing three levels of play, a variety of slides and climbing equipment, and a spectacular view of the water.
This past spring, Miracle donated an all-inclusive playground to the city of White House, TN, to honor sports heroes and brothers, Cayden and Conner Long. For more information, visit www.miracle-recreation.com. #ThrillForAll
Additional photos: http://goo.gl/pd6cYr
About Miracle Recreation Equipment Company
Founded in 1927, Miracle Recreation Equipment Company is one of the leading commercial playground equipment sources in the nation. The company provides customized solutions for parks, schools, churches, communities and other large-scale projects designed for children of all ages and abilities. With an emphasis on innovation, Miracle strives to put the thrill into play spaces, delivering challenge, excitement, and fun for all. #ThrillForAll. For more information, visit www.miracle-recreation.com.
About PlayPower, Inc.
PlayPower is a leading global provider of Play, Shade, Sport and Recreation facilities and equipment. The company is headquartered in North Carolina, USA, with manufacturing facilities in Missouri USA, Sweden and the United Kingdom. PlayPower® brands include Miracle® Recreation, Little Tikes® Commercial, Soft Play®, HAGS, Freemove™, EZ Dock® and Shade Structures®. PlayPower's vision is To Inspire the World to Play through its mission of Creating Outstanding Play Environments for All Ages and Abilities. More information is available at http://www.playpower.com/. PlayPower is a portfolio company of Apollo Investment Corporation.
About Apollo Investment Corporation
Apollo Investment Corporation is a leading provider of subordinated debt and equity capital to middle-market companies. Apollo generates both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. Apollo Investment Corporation is managed by Apollo Investment Management. Our portfolio is comprised primarily of investments in subordinated loans and senior secured loans of private middle-market companies with equity interests such as warrants or equity co-investments.
