CLEVELAND, Feb. 6 (AP) - Still a big kid himself, LeBron James is giving youngsters a safe place to play.

Through a foundation he began four years ago, Cleveland's All-Star forward will fund the building of new, state-of-the-art playgrounds across the country for needy children and their families.

The first one will be installed next week at the St. Bernard Recreation Center in New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. James will dedicate the new playground on Feb. 14, three days before the city hosts this year's NBA All-Star game.

"I feel good knowing that the kids at St. Bernard will have a new playground with the very best equipment,'' James said. "It's going to be a great place to play, have fun and hang out with friends and family.''

St. Bernard's new playground will have a custom-designed jungle gym, picnic tables, outdoor barbecues, gardens as well as a specially designed safety surface that will replicate a basketball court.

"These innovative playgrounds will provide families with the opportunity to be together and play together,'' said Jakki Nance, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. "Our goal is to build family focused play spaces that will encourage kids to stay fit and active while encouraging creative play.''