The playgrounds at four elementary schools in USD 232 are scheduled for an upgrade this summer.
The school district’s plan this summer is to renovate playgrounds at Belmont, Horizon, Prairie Ridge and Riverview elementary schools. Each playground will be resurfaced with a new, modern surface solution to enhance the safety of each site. The playgrounds currently have rubber mulch.
District staff noted to the school board last month that some playground equipment will be replaced because it’s getting old and worn out, which is beginning to make repairs costly. All playgrounds will be updated to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Steve Deghand, director of facilities and operations at USD 232, said the design process involved teachers and building administrators.
The school district completed five playground renovations at three elementary schools in summer 2019; these are at Clear Creek, Mize and Starside elementary schools.
In a memo to the school board, Deghand said parents of students have praised the renovations because the new playgrounds no longer have rubber mulch.
“A mock-up of the playgrounds was shared with staff and feedback from staff was sent back to playground architects,” Deghand wrote. “Adjustments were made and everyone is excited about the playgrounds they will be receiving.”
The school board approved renovation plans for the four elementary school playgrounds by ABCreative for about $1.6 million. The school board on Feb. 3 unanimously approved the plans.
