IVCH Health Play Station now open in Peru Mall

         Tots whose parents shop at Peru Mall now have a stop of their own – the IVCH Health Play Station.

Children of IVCH employees formally opened the play station with a tot-sized ribbon cutting ceremony on Dec. 3, 2007. 

"It's exciting for us to offer a tot-sized play area and engaging activities dedicated to healthy lifestyles for our young visitors," said Kim Miller, marketing manager of the mall. "We're appreciative of the IVCH partnership that helped make the play area a reality. Their sponsorship demonstrates the hospital’s strong commitment to the community." 

While visiting the mall with their parents, children will discover a delightful, self-contained soft play area.  Bright colors, recognizable shapes, and soft textures characterize the 1,000-square-foot setting.

With elements that encourage active participation, the play area will appeal to a child’s curiosity and instinct for creative play while offering helpful hints to encourage healthy living.  A winding path offers simple healthy living aphorisms such as “laugh out loud” and “exercise makes your heart happy.”

Every component, whether it's an activity piece, inviting shape or bench, is composed of soft foam and integrated into the design of the area.

Elements of the play area include:

• Toothbrush topped with toothpaste – A bright red, six-foot long climbing brush to encourage good dental habits.

• Fruit Medley – A seven-foot tunnel, slide and climber composed of a bright red tomato, purple grapes, yellow banana, green celery and broccoli to promote healthy eating.

• Sun – A three-foot wide yellow sun climber to suggest outdoor play activities.

• Healthy Heart – A happy, red heart shaped climber.

• Stethoscope – A five-foot long red, white and blue climbing unit.

• Shoe holder – Cubbies for shoe storage and a hand sanitizer to encourage clean hands.

• IVCH ambulance - A colorful red and white tunnel and slide.

Soft seating around the perimeter of the play area offers children and care givers a place to rest.

A few simply rules apply when visiting the play area:

• children must be under 42" in height to use the play area

• remove shoes before playing

• no food or drinks allowed

• children are not to be left unattended and adult supervision is required at all times

• use play area at your own risk

• do no run, jump or climb on any of the surrounding benches.

Peru Mall, located at Route 251 and 38th Street, is home to Bergner’s, JCPenney, Marshalls, Sears and over 60 fine shops and services.

Peru Mall supports the community with multiple programs throughout the year.  Past activities include: semi-annual Community Days, MDA Stride & Ride, Toys for Tots and the Holiday Giving Tree. More information about the mall can be found at www.perumall.com or (815) 223-7600.

Peru Mall is owned and managed by GK Development, Inc.

About GK Development, Inc.

GK Development, Inc acquires, re-develops, manages and leases well-located properties in growing markets.  The Barrington, Illinois-based company owns 5 million square feet of space located in nine states.  The company was founded in 1995.  For more information visit www.gkdevelopment.com

About IVCH

Illinois Valley Community Hospital is a 72-bed not-for-profit acute care hospital located in Peru that serves the residents of LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam and Marshall counties.  IVCH can trace its history back to 1887, when St. Mary’s Hospital in LaSalle was established, and to 1914, when Peoples Hospital in Peru opened.  The two hospitals merged in 1975 to form IVCH, which today has more than 100 physicians on its medical staff and employs more than 600 nurses, technologists and other healthcare workers. For more information, visit www.ivch.org.