The project objectives are twofold:
1) resurfacing a portion of numerous playgrounds with a flat pores surface to allow students with mobility issues to access the play areas, and
2) upgrading existing playground equipment to increase opportunities for special needs and general education students to engage in recess and outdoor play together.
To determine access needs, a thorough evaluation of each playground will be completed, especially those schools with center-based programs. This evaluation will be completed by representatives from PLSAS buildings and grounds, elementary principals, special education administration, center-based and other SPED teachers, elementary PTCs and most likely playground equipment vendors. Due to the uniqueness of each elementary playground, each site will need to be assessed independently.
Phase One would include the installation of new, flat playground surfaces within a portion of four elementary school playgrounds by the Fall of 2026.
Phase Two would include the addition of NEW adaptive playground equipment to the sites of four playgrounds sometime the summer of 2027 or beyond, depending on funding availability.
The Laker Education Foundation has taken on the challenge of raising $160,000 ($40,000 each for four sites) to help provide a substantial funding base towards Phase 1 of the playground improvements. The remainder of the needed funds for Phase 1, and eventually Phase 2, would be pursued through the collaborative efforts of the PLSAS representatives in the form of other grants, aid from local foundations, Polar Plunge dollars, a GoFundMe and a variety of other fundraising efforts. Already, numerous Elementary PTCs are setting aside funds to assist with this collective effort to improve our playgrounds.
