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Garth Brooks surprises children at Riley Hospital with new play space

Garth Brooks surprises children at Riley Hospital with new play space
Posted at 12:52 PM, Oct 07, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-07 12:52:29-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- When Garth Brooks is in town, he makes the most of his time, and his weekend in Indianapolis has been a whirlwind so far. 

It was a typical Friday for patients and their families at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health in Indianapolis – until country music superstar Garth Brooks and his band showed up to surprise them.

Brooks is in town to perform five shows at Bankers Life Fieldhouse this weekend, but he took some time before his Friday night performance to stop by the children's hospital and enjoy some downtown with patients for the ribbon cutting on the Backyard - the hospital's newest play space.

“It’s how thankful you are that your children are healthy, but if your children face that challenge, how thankful we are to have someone like Riley here for your children," said Brooks. "We’re all very lucky.”

“It’s this community," said Brooks' wife and fellow country music star Trisha Yearwood. "This is a community that loves and wants this program.”

Brooks’ Teammates for Kids Foundation brought the indoor Child Life Zone play space to Riley Hospital in 2014 and was also behind the opening of the outdoor Backyard – complete with yard games, putt-putt, musical instruments and activities for patients of all ages.

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