Kids & Family

Franklin Ave. Playground Replacement Nearing Completion

Volunteers with the Franklin Avenue Playground Committee began the next step in replacing the playground at Franklin Avenue Elementary School Wednesday -- tearing down the old equipment.

Saetre and Son Construction provided the equipment and did much of the demolition work. Volunteers, many of them with Boy Scout Troop 36, helped clear the debris. They expected to complete the work Friday evening, ensuring that the removal phase will be completed before classes start Monday.

Though the playground committee is still working to reach its goal of raising $100,000, they are close enough to move forward with the project. Jean Beckerle said they are working to confirm that Miracle Recreation, the Vermont-based company providing the new playground equipment, will be in to install it Oct. 4-6. 

Among the new equipment will be a web-like structure, a climbing area that will be incorporated into physical education classes at the school to help improve upper body strength and many more swings than were available with the old playground. A picture of the concept design is attached to this report. Beckerle said they looked at six different companies, all of which had similar equipment. Miracle Recreation was the only one to offer a security system. 

Once completed, the playground will become district property. Beckerle and Tom Warren of the committee, who helped bring in Saetre and Son, both acknowledged some complications along the way, but were excited to be so close to their goal. 

The committee raised the money through a variety of fundraisers, including a recent wrestling night at Pearl River High Schooland tje construction of what was then the longest ice cream sundae ever created, an event that drew a huge crowd to the Central Ave. Field. 


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