Meet Asphalt Green 2025 Zesiger Award of Excellence Winner Kim Burd
Bringing sports, fitness, and play to all takes leadership, dedication, and resilience. There are few who exemplify those qualities more than Asphalt Green’s 2025 Gala honoree and recipient of the Zesiger Award for Excellence, Kimberly A. Burd, a longtime Asphalt Green Board Member and advocate for children with medically complex diseases.
Kim’s advocacy grew in 2018 when her three-year-old son Baron was diagnosed with a form of Mitochondrial Disease. Soon after, Kim joined the joined the Mitochondrial Medicine Frontier Advisory Board at the Children’s Hospital of Philidelphia, where she began supporting CHOP’s work to transform pediatric healthcare in the Philadelphia region and worldwide. The impeccable care Baron received at CHOP inspired Kim to continue her journey to becoming a leading advocate for children with complex medical diseases, particularly children with Mitochondrial deficiencies. Earlier this year, Kim joined the foundation Board of Advisors at CHOP.
Kim’s mission to expand access to adaptive programming continued in 2023, when she orchestrated a partnership between Tribeca Prep and Asphalt Green to host an inclusive swim program that proved so successful, that it was rewarded with a $200,000 grant from the George E and Annette Cross Murphy Charitable Fund to bring sports and fitness to children with diverse needs in the New York City area. Kim has also created a lasting partnership between Asphalt Green and CHOP, who together have hosted educational events that highlight important topics including sports medicine and nutrition for the Asphalt Green community.
Before the big night, we spoke with Kim about her remarkable journey, and the importance of providing high quality sports, fitness, and play programs for children with support needs.
What inspired you to get Baron involved in sports or fitness?
Life changes very quickly. I was never into sports as a child. I didn’t like to compete, didn’t like the structure, or being told what to do and when to do it. But I had a child, and when he was three years old, he was diagnosed with a genetic disorder. There’s no cure, and the best thing the doctor recommended was exercise—specifically swimming or biking. He wasn’t coordinated enough to bike, so I chose swimming. He loved it, especially during the summer. I looked for a warm pool since he was tiny, and that’s how I found Asphalt Green. He had a great experience here. I didn’t initially tell the director about his condition because I wasn’t emotionally ready, but I just asked for a patient instructor, and they delivered. He learned to swim and enjoyed it so much. It warmed my heart.
What was it like to find your community and the professionals who could help guide your son?
It took a long time to find my community, both as a special needs and medical mom. Once I found the right school for my son, I found that community. Coming to Asphalt Green changed his life. Doctors would ask me what I was doing because he seemed different than others with his disease. I told them I kept him very active—swimming as much as possible. The coaches here were phenomenal—patient, loving. Even if he wasn’t swimming laps, just making bubbles brought him joy.
What motivates you to advocate for other parents in similar situations?
Seeing the joy swimming brought my son made me realize this had to go deeper for other kids. That’s what motivated me to expand this community for other parents.
What are your hopes and dreams for your child’s journey in sports or swimming?
The adaptive program has brought Baron independence, socializing, and self-esteem. As a mom, that’s all you can hope for. He enjoys coming every weekend. As a special needs parent, knowing he’s safe and supported means the world. My favorite part is sitting in the lobby listening to other special needs parents share how happy they are. I don’t intervene—I just listen. I love it.
Can you speak about the journey of developing a new program at Asphalt Green?
A few years ago, I had coffee with Jordan Brackett, the CEO. We were just chatting about Asphalt Green’s programs and how we serve all New Yorkers. That’s when I realized we were missing something for kids with special needs. I’d sit in meetings where other parents talked about basketball, summer camp, etc., and think, ‘My son can’t do that.’ Not many sports organizations take special needs kids, especially not in drop-off programs. Jordan loved the idea, and within 48 hours, he called saying the Murphy Fund wanted to support it. I contacted my son’s school, Tribeca Prep, and we started a pilot program. It was important to train coaches properly for the different disabilities and behaviors. Now kids swim laps, some float on noodles—whatever makes them happy. The program has been incredible.
Why do you find that community experience so meaningful?
One time, I was sitting with a friend, and she ran into another friend with neurotypical kids in soccer. She asked, ‘What are you doing here?’ That moment showed me we did something special. Of course, special needs parents should be bringing their kids to sports—and dropping them off! They deserve that. I also had another parent tell me he drives in from the Bronx every weekend because no other program like this exists. This adaptive program is elite. It’s a safe environment for kids to be who they are. Seeing parents recognize that makes all the hard work worth it.
Explore Inclusive Programs at Asphalt Green
Kim’s advocacy continues to inspire our work to build programs that meet the needs of all New York City children. Today, we offer a wide selection of sensory-friendly Inclusive Classes year-round, ensuring that no matter what your child’s needs are, they have a place to get active and enjoy the gifts of sports, fitness, and play at Asphalt Green.
