WASHINGTON (AP) — A charter school in a low-income Southeast Washington neighborhood has a new playground, thanks in part to first lady Michelle Obama.

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Mrs. Obama joined hundreds of volunteers who assembled the playground Wednesday at Imagine Southeast Public Charter School. She mixed and poured concrete and helped put together slides, swings and other equipment.

She told the crowd that building the playground was a "very cool experience" and said she was proud to have a long association with KaBOOM!, the nonprofit that spearheaded the project.

The playground is the 2,000th that KaBOOM! has built across the country in its 15-year history. The group advocates for outdoor play as a critical part of children's physical, intellectual and emotional development.