Packers help build playground for Milwaukee kids

MILWAUKEE -- The Green Bay Packers and United Way have teamed up to build a new playground for children at Smith Park in Milwaukee as part of the Hometown Huddle Intiative.

“Hometown Huddle” is a league-wide day of service that provides NFL players, owners, coaches, wives, and staff from each team with the opportunity to participate in a variety of community-service activities.

For the past five seasons, the league and its 32 teams have used the Hometown Huddle day of service to showcase their collective support for NFL PLAY 60 through playground and indoor fitness zone builds and hosting health and wellness activities for youth in local communities.

Smith Park needed the help.

"The playground needed to be replaced we didn't have funding to do that. The Packers and the NFL stepped up to the plate," Milwaukee County Parks Chief of Operations Guy Smith said.

"This is a great opportunity to help out and give back and it`s a blessing to be here," Packers quarterback B.J. Coleman said.

The Hometown Huddle also ties into the Green Bay Packers PLAY 60 Challenge, which is a program that encourages kids to be active for 60 minutes each day.

Through the years, the Packers have built several new playgrounds, but this is the first one they've built in Milwaukee

"I think it just shows the amount of interest the Packers have throughout the state," Coleman said.

"I feel like everyone thinks we`re just football players and football is our life, but there is more to us than that and this is a good way to show that," Packers Offensive Lineman Greg Van Roten said.

Packers pride will be on permanent display at Smith Park, as the entire playground is green and gold.

The playground will be completed within a week.

CLICK HERE for more information on the "Hometown Huddle Initiative."

CLICK HERE for more information on the Packers PLAY 60 Challenge.

Smith Park needed the help.