Plymouth Schools Superintendent Daniel Tyree said he is excited about getting a playground started where children with disabilities can play along with their peers.
It was announced on Tuesday of this week that the PTO at Menominee Elementary has purchased new playground equipment that includes at least four activities that can be accessed from ground level. Tyree said, “This is just the beginning. It is possible in the future to add some things.”
There was some discussion at the PTO meeting concerning how the extra funds accumulated from donations and fundraisers could be used. They had raised over $30,000 leaving some $4,000 for other equipment, according to Tyree. Tyree said they will be looking to see how other pieces, such as a swing ,can be included.
The groundcover under the play equipment will be made of a rubber- like material that allows children with wheelchairs or crutches to move on easily.
When Menominee opened in 2006, there wasn’t a playground. By 2007, the current equipment had been installed. Since the school houses all of the elementary- aged programs for children with severe or moderate handicaps, adding equipment that can be used by every child has been a top priority, according to Principal Steven Boyer.
The parents of two kindergarten students , Steven and Ruth Nelson, are pleased to see that there will be playground activities that both of their sons can access. Aiden and Ashton Nelson were born 12 weeks early and Ashton experienced problems that led to cerebral palsy. Ruth Nelson they have had to travel to an ADA equipped playground in Ft. Wayne in order to have an area where her boys can play together. She said, “They both deserve to be able to play on the same playground equipment with other children on a daily basis.”
David Schoof, Director of Maintenance for the school system, said the playground will be installed in July or August. He said, “First mulch will be removed and then the land will be excavated where the playground equipment will be installed.” Schoof said the flooring of the area will be a thick layer of concrete that will be treated with a weather resistant glue adhesive to secure the ADA compliant rubberized tiles.
Carol Anders Correspondent
