Good bye, Old Friends
@GardenGerty (157769)
United States
March 14, 2017 8:40pm CST
Today we had a picture made of all the students in school, on the playground equipment.
This was the last day to play on it. Tomorrow begins the process of uninstalling it, and then over spring break we will get new equipment.
Some of the kids feel sad about it. It has been in place for about twenty-three years. I dare say that parents of some of the kindergarten or first grade kids played on it.
The gravel will be removed first. Then the existing equipment will be removed. It has been sold to a church in another town. I imagine it will be refurbished a bit, and will give many more years of sliding and climbing joy to more kids.
I know that the kids have been raising funds through some programs like "Boxtops for Education" to pay for it.
The first grade classes made jobs, like creating greeting cards to sell to family and staff to donate. Others learned to bake for fund raisers. It is a learning process.
It will take roughly three weeks to complete the project. Meanwhile the kids will play tag and other outdoor games on the ball field on the other side of the school. One week of the process they will be on Spring Break.
14 people like this
15 responses
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
15 Mar 17
I am sure they will as they get used to it. The architect pictures of it look really cool.
@workathomefan (8957)
• Prairieville, Louisiana
15 Mar 17
I bet the kids miss playing where they normally play due to playground project.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
15 Mar 17
Change is often hard, even when it leads to good things.
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
16 Mar 17
It gives them something to carry them to the end of the year.
@celticeagle (159710)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Mar 17
Change can be sad. Tearing down the old to make way for the new. It's the American way. But, maybe they will be excited and happy about the new equipment. Kids are pretty resilient and do get over things and move on.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
15 Mar 17
They were happy to hear that the old playground is going somewhere it is needed as well.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38719)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Mar 17
Well at least it's not you that's moving on. I wondered for a second there. It's good to have new playground equipment. The new stuff seems safer overall.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
18 Mar 17
I had wondered if I would mislead anyone with this.1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38222)
• Philippines
16 Mar 17
@GardenGerty Nowadays parents drag their kids out to get sunshine.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
15 Mar 17
I find this interesting they are doing this during the school yr and could not have waited til right about summer break. Had no idea that playgrounds we ever changed like this and does someone take the time to check out some of the others in parks and such as well?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
15 Mar 17
I find myself wondering the same. The present playground was installed during a summer. There are two reasons I can come up with 1.) The current students have been raising funds for at least two years for this, some of them will not be back next year. 2.) Once summer comes the construction people may be busier with higher paying jobs. In fact I believe a lot of the labor is going to be donated.
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
15 Mar 17
Hopefully, the new playground equipment will be safe as well as fun for the kids. They will be proud to see their fund raising efforts paid off for play time. 
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
16 Mar 17
They have to put it up and then have it inspected before it is used, I believe. Yes, they can be proud.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
15 Mar 17
I think they will. I also believe it is bigger to accommodate more children safely.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16550)
• China
15 Mar 17
It is great the kids learn to how to raise funds and rely on their own efforts in getting new equipment.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
15 Mar 17
I think so too. I like that our students are learning that stuff is not just given to them for free but requires hard work. Hopefully they take good care of it as well.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
16 Mar 17
I am glad it is being reused and that they are getting new equipment!
@Morleyhunt (21746)
• Canada
15 Mar 17
We've seen many playground replaced over the years. Most are just discarded...it's nice to hear this one will see more use.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
15 Mar 17
Some friends of mine had six acres but it was in a flood plain so they could not build structures. So they bought and installed old playground pieces for their large family.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
15 Mar 17
We certainly can hope so. I hope that they take a lot of pride in their play ground.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
15 Mar 17
I am sure they will be happy when they see the new playground.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157769)
• United States
15 Mar 17
Yes, to see it in reality will be great. There has been an artist's rendering around in the office for a long time.
@shaggin (71676)
• United States
16 Mar 17
I loved our old school playground when I was young. It was huge and wooden with metal slides and fireman's poles. I played on it all the time. I was sad to see it go right before I had kids. The school now has three different sized playgrounds for different age levels. I still prefer our old one from when I was young and wish it was still around but nothing lasts forever!
