Update: At the latest Elsmere PTA meeting, board members voted to start the fundraising process for a non-specific item with no current timeline to see how much money could be raised for possibly purchasing a new playground, according to PTA President Patty Michaelson. Anyone wishing to donate time, money or resources should contact the PTA.
Members of the Elsmere Elementary School PTA have put together a proposal to purchase and construct a new playground for the school.
Playground Committee Co-Vice Presidents Amy Cohen and Robyn Holstein have been working on the proposal since September, when they volunteered to take on the project. The pair presented the plan at a PTA meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 31, and asked for feedback and comments from parents.
“I think the most important goals for the new playground would be making sure we are maintaining the safety of the playground for our children,” said Holstein.
The PTA plans to look into making repairs to the existing playground structures, but Cohen and Holstien said most playgrounds are guaranteed for 20 to 25 years. Portions of Elsmere’s playground were installed in 1992, so upgrades will likely need to be performed within the next five years.
“We thought ‘Are we just going to slap another coat of paint on or are we going to actually take the time to get this done?’” said Holstein.
The two women said according to their research, the lower playground is outdated and the tire swing is broken. The school district has roped off the swing so children won’t use it.
Some equipment also does not meet current safety guidelines and recommendations, but was grandfathered in, according to PTA members. Some climbing equipment is placed close to retaining walls, for example, and some wooden retaining walls are rotten.
Also, only one play element is available for children with disabilities.
“It would be nice to see a more comprehensive play unit so those with disabilities can play side by side with other children,” said Cohen.
The women have met with three playground manufacturers to obtain estimates and have plans to meet with Leathers Associates, the company that built the Playground’s large wooden structure 20 years ago.
Design ideas for the proposed playground call for one large play structure with multiple levels, two or three slides, a rock wall, another climbing element and some independent play options. The plan also calls for landscaping improvements and repairs to current equipment where needed.
For an entirely new playground the cost could run between $102,000 and $125,000, but if needed, new equipment could be integrated with the older equipment. If such a large amount of money could not be raised, the plan could be scaled back.
If the project is approved, the group would apply for grants as well as look for community support and hold independent fundraisers. The PTA would also ask for volunteers to aid in installing the playground to save money and would also be seeking donated services and materials, like cement and construction equipment.
“We have a vested interest in the project because our children will be in the system for the next 10 years,” said Cohen, who has a first grader, a pre-kindergartener and a 2-year-old. Holstein has a second-grader, a kindergartener and two other children.
Parents at the meeting were concerned about the immediate safety issues and what could be done to make improvements for the time being, since installation of the new equipment wouldn’t happen until 2013, at the earliest.
District Operations and Maintenance Director Gregg Nolte said once equipment is donated it is up to the district to maintain it since it is on school property and liability for the playground also falls on the district’s shoulders.
Each year, the district’s maintenance team performs a full inspection of all playgrounds and makes minor repairs when needed. Nolte said if a piece of equipment it broken it is either removed from the playground or roped off so children are not injured.
“But sometimes when we take (equipment) out of commission it stays out of commission because the district doesn’t have the money to replace it,” he said.
Nolte said his department will work with parents who would like to make repairs themselves or donate new equipment.
“I wish I could provide this stuff out of my own budget, but it’s hard,” he said.
Parents at the meeting also wanted to make sure the trees are preserved during installation and the unique character of the playground is not compromised.
“We obviously want to maintain that warm, fuzzy feeling children get when going to the playground,” said Cohen.
The proposal is scheduled to be voted on at the PTA’s Feb. 7 meeting, but could be put off until March to allow for more input from the community.
“I think we are in a unique position to provide something for all of the children of Elsmere and all of the children of the community,” said Holstein.
The entire presentation on the playground can be viewed on the Elsmere Elementary website.
