Trending
VIENNA -- The Mathews Board of Education is seeking donations for the Baker Elementary School Playground Project.
Due to the renovation of the school's gymnasium, the current playground will be torn down. The Playground Project was put in place to rebuild and relocate the playground, according to a project brochure by Baker Playground Project Board Chair Beth Haddle, Mathews Public Relations and Marketing Supervisor Kate Keller and Baker Elementary School Principal Mike King.
The school is planning to put up two playgrounds, one for students from kindergarten to second grade and the second for students in grades third to fifth, according to the brochure.
Board members approved the creation of a Playground Fund at their meeting Wednesday. Haddle also is a school board member.
The board accepted two donations of $100 each from Haddle and Cindy Sacco.
Haddle said $350,000 is needed to make the playground project possible.
The brochure states the project is relying solely on fundraising.
Haddle said among things that will be added to the playground is a toy train.
"The younger, little kids like trains and buses," she said. "It was an inside joke, and it was kind of like, you know, kids do like trains."
The brochure for the project states other things like a rock path, monkey bars, slides, swings, interactive play sets, a climbing wall and a pavilion will be added to the playground.
"There's a whole committee (The Baker Playground Project Board) that's looked at all the different playground things," Haddle said. "We're trying to come across things children like to engage them in play."
Haddle said she's passionate about the project because of a lack of playgrounds in or near Vienna.
"Parents have to take their kids to a different community to play," she said. "We don't even really have good sidewalks or anything. We need to do more for our children."
The playground rebuild is to benefit children's needs, according to the brochure.
"Playgrounds play a crucial role in nurturing children's development, blending physical activity with social and emotional growth," the brochure states. "These spaces foster inclusive interactions, foster imaginative play and bolster physical well-being. Playgrounds contribute not only to improved concentration in school but also to the development of essential life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and resilience."
Have an interesting story? Contact Hailey Rogenski by email at
hrogenski@tribtoday.com.