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The playground, which is used by both the elementary school and the community at large, is considered by many to be outdated with little play value. After years of considering tackling the large and costly project of building a new playground, the PTSO has decided to begin its fundraising efforts.
“We decided we’re not going to delay it anymore,” said Mesha Brewer, co-president of the Caroline Street Elementary PTSO. “We’re going to get the word out there and try to get the funds for a new playground and spread the awareness of the need for a new one.”
The playground, which has had many slight repairs over the years, is estimated by the PTSO to be up to 50 years old.
“It’s very dated,” said Kirsten Ott, the other co-president of the PTSO. “There are several attractions that have been blocked off. It’s safe, but there’s just not a lot of play value to it. There are a lot of dead ends while the kids are playing.”
Brewer added that the structure almost feels incomplete.
“There’s a whole open side where there is nothing—no slide, no climbing apparatus to get down—so you climb up and there’s just not really a good way to get down,” she said.
The PTSO has already engaged in talks and meetings with the principal, Dan O’Rourke, and playground equipment companies concerning the vision the school has for the new playground.
“We’re looking for a traditional, all-American type of playground that will stand the test of time,” Ott said.
These plans include a structure that will be modern, more interactive and more fitness-based, and the PTSO is also striving to make the structure wheelchair-accessible for any children in the community who might need it.
Though a modern and interactive playscape will be beneficial to the children, it will also be much more expensive to build. The PTSO is hoping for a strong show of support from both the school and the community, since both groups use the playground.
“In the past, it wouldn’t be that much to ask to fundraise for a new playground, because it used to only cost about $20,000. Now, these playgrounds cost anywhere from $100,000 to $120,000,” Ott said.
“And this is just one aspect of raising money for our school,” Brewer said. “This isn’t the only project we work on, so we definitely need to incorporate local donations and community awareness and support for the new playground, because our school alone won’t be able to fund it.”
Due to the amount of money needed for the project, the PTSO is estimating that it will take at least two years before the playground will have enough funds to begin construction.
“It’ll be at least a couple of years before the project is finished,” Brewer said. “It all depends on if the businesses decide to come on board, and if not, we will still continue through the years to raise funds through community activities, such as a fun run or 5k race. If the movie night goes great, we could make it an annual thing.”
Brewer said that with the lack of bugs and the nice fall weather, the movie night is a perfect way to start off the school year.
“It’s a great way to kick it off and have people come together and rally and hear what’s going on in the schools in our community, and our mission as a PTSO regarding the playground,” she said.
The outdoor movie event will take place at the East Side Recreation Park on the inner field of the running track across from Caroline Street Elementary School. A contest is currently being held amongst Caroline Street families to decide between a screening of “The Lorax” or “Dolphin Tale.” Tickets for the event are $4 per person and will be sold at the event, where refreshments will also be available for purchase.
Brewer said the event is promising for the playground project.
“This is the start of really going forward and striving to achieve our end goal of a new playground at East Side Recreation Park.”
Donations can be sent to:
Caroline Street Elementary School
c/o Caroline Street PTSO
310 Caroline Street
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Make checks payable to Caroline Street PTSO.
