Plans set for ambitious new playground

NORTH CANAAN — After months of research, the North Canaan Elementary School (NCES) PTO has come up with a plan for a new playground to be installed at the primary end of the school.The PTO selected a design by Playworld Systems that includes a wide range of play structures for children from preschool all the way to grade eight. A pirate ship, a castle and a dinosaur “skeleton” in the middle of a giant sandbox will offer inspiration for imaginative play. But the surface is what is really special, and will take the playground to new levels of safety and handicapped accessibility.Brightly colored poured-in-place rubber will provide a cushiony surface that eliminates the need to create a mulch pit. The rubber will be thicker and softer in spots as needed, such as beneath swings. It is extremely durable and, unlike mulch, can last for many years.PTO representatives came to the Board of Education meeting Feb. 14 to describe the plan, which includes redeveloping the entire northeast corner of the school grounds. The PTO is not asking the school board for money. The group decided to take on responsibility for the playground last year. A team of volunteers spruced up the grounds and built a new sandbox last summer, using materials and equipment donated by local businesses. But it was clear the more-than 15-year-old primary wing playground equipment, although state-of-the-art at the time, is well past its prime.Now that a plan is in place, fundraising will begin. Grants are also being sought. With supervision from Playworld Systems, a “community build,” using local volunteers for the approximate three-week project, will save about $80,000 in installation costs. That alone is more than the cost of the existing playground. The quote for the entire project is $458,000.For security purposes, a large swath of trees was recently removed from between the school and Sam Eddy Field. It eliminates an undesirable hangout spot. The field can now be seen from the school and playground, and can be used during recess. The “corner” between the playgrounds will provide a spot for gardens that can be used as outdoor classrooms and a musical instrument area, with hand-played babel drums, a marimba and emperor chimes.Also planned are picnic tables and a NEOS electronic playstation with lights that create random patterns that the user reproduces. It will be wheelchair accessible and the company claims it helps build peripheral vision and auditory and spatial skills. An asphalt sidewalk will connect the playgrounds and extend all the way around the back of the school, providing better access for playground visitors and emergency vehicles. “The PTO spent a lot of time with many companies. This is the one that understood their vision,” said NCES Principal Rosemary Keilty. “There is also not much for kids to do now after school out there or in the summer.”In response to a concern from the public about vandalism of such a pricey installation, Keilty said there is surveillance camera there now.