ECD Replaces “Rotten Wood” with “Cool Metal” on Renovated Playground
“Are there a billion hundred skunks?” wondered Izzy S., a kindergartner, when asked about the new early childhood playground.
AJA’s ECD playground has never suffered from a skunk infestation. It has, however, endured several structural issues and decay.
This year, the Early Childhood Department has been constructing an updated playground for the students’ safety and enjoyment. The process is being overseen by Peachtree Landscape and Play & Parks Structures, who began the project outside the ECD wing in September.
The previous playground, which was more than thirty years old, had seen its fair share of children. “It was falling apart,” said Ms. Susan Moray, AJA’s Director of Development. “Many of our parents had played on that playground [and have] little children that [play on] it now.”
One such parent, Mr. Ilan Tobin, mentioned that he was sure that he had been on the previous playground as a student, and that it was a place that “was such a huge part of [his] life, growing up for many years.” Mr. Tobin now owns the company Peachtree Landscapes, which has been contracted to do all of the project’s landscaping work. “It makes me feel very enriched to be able to play my part in making the school a better place,” he said.
When his team removed the initial retaining wall they found “rotten wood,” showing how long the playground had been there. He mentioned that they were able to pull away the wall easily, revealing its faulty structural integrity.
Mr. Tobin wasn’t the first to discover evidence of the playground’s deterioration. “Multiple times over the last few years, children have brought me large bolts that they had found on the playground,” said Morah Davida Graber, ECD Principal, “which raised concerns about the structural integrity of the playground.” She also mentioned that part of the plastic components of the playground had begun to crack, and a piece of the sunshade broke off, forcing the rest of the roof to be removed. “It was certainly time for an upgrade,” she said.
To raise the funds to replace the playground, Ms. Moray set up and managed a successful capital campaign. It not only reached its goals for the renovations but also gained additional funds for the rest of the school. After completing the ECD playground, the school plans to renovate the imagination playground, located near the Zone A front entrance, as well, according to Ms. Moray.
The renovation plans for the new ECD playground included removing the old equipment, eliminating prickly plants that had previously lined some of the play areas, regrading the land, revamping the garden, and adding new play areas. The playground consists of three major sections. The largest structure, which has two rock climbing walls along with other climbing components, was created for kindergarteners through second graders. Additionally, the middle section, with lower and more guarded climbing locations, is intended for children ranging from three to four years old, while the smallest section was made with four slides and minimal climbing for toddlers.
“Along with the main play areas, the playground will also include a garden, a tricycle path, and most notably, a swing set.”
Along with the main play areas, the playground will also include a garden, a tricycle path, and most notably, a swing set. The swing set was not part of the playground’s original design, according to Morah Davida. In fact, the swing set was only added on when the contractors “made a mistake” by spacing the initial equipment too far apart, she said. Ms. Moray took charge of the situation, negotiating a swing set as compensation for the company’s spacial error.
Students in the ECD are excited about the playground. Many expressed appreciation for the new equipment such as the slides and its revamped design, with a “cool roof” and its “cool metal” surfaces. Victoria, Mr. Tobin’s daughter, said that she was excited for the rock climbing wall specifically.
Some students, however, expressed concerns as well. One kindergartener worried about falling off of the playground (the playground’s design has been approved on a safety level). Another was afraid that the entire structure would fall. Luckily, the other students were quick to point out that it would not collapse because of “a retaining wall” and “bolts and screws” that had been installed.
Izzy said that she had “too, too, too much” excitement for the playground, while Henry G. returned to the tried and true “infinity and beyond.” Other levels of excitement ranged from “59,000” to “infinity.”
While the playground is under construction, ECD students have been going mainly to the imagination playground, and occasionally the field. While the younger kids play on the imagination playground, the lower school has been relocated to the field outside the high school. “We really appreciate the flexibility that the lower school has modeled, especially considering that the construction has taken longer than anticipated,” Morah Davida said.
The highly anticipated playground renovations are set to complete in early January, and ECD students are ready to enter their new world of play. “I wish I could go on it right now,” Yehuda P. said excitedly.
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