ORLANDO, Fla. -- Hundreds of volunteers constructed a playground on Mercy Drive from scratch Thursday. They were building on efforts to improve conditions at an Orlando apartment complex once over-run with violent crime.

The Palms Apartments recently changed its name to Windsor Cove (see map) to symbolize its new image. Crime is down and now volunteers built a playground to give the community's 600 children a safe place to play.

At the Windsor Cove Apartments, it's a summer many children won't forget, with shiny new swing sets and slides appearing before their eyes. About 225 people started working at 8:30am Thursday, building everything from park benches to the playground. They set out to get it all done by 2:30pm.

It's a blessing for mothers like Shaquanda Williams.

"I'm apartment 103 and I’m willing to help change it around out here," Williams said.

Williams remembers when her son walked by an apartment and saw the body of someone who had been murdered. It was one of three murders in July 2008, when the complex was known as the Palms Apartments.

"And that’s what shocked me, because my child was right close to it to see something like that," she said. "Most kids shouldn't be able to see no stuff like that."

Since 2008, Orlando police said there has not been another murder there and officers now patrol the complex several times a day. There is also a new security gate at the entrance.

From January to July last year, there were 228 crimes, including a rape and 13 aggravated assaults. This year, since January, there have been 163 crimes.

Mayor Buddy Dyer says the process of improving the apartments is called Operation Free Palms, which he says isn't over.

"As you can see, people feel good, they've got pride in their community and this playground is going to be great for the kids," Dyer said.

The apartment management said the playground will be maintained by staff and residents. It was paid for with a $65,000 Home Depot grant and $7,500 from the Hopes and Dreams Team.