By Mitch Evans
At the last School Committee meeting, Lane School Vice Principal Keith Kinney presented the Playground Committee’s vision for the new play structures at Lane School. Kinney explained that after reviewing the existing playground at the beginning of the school year, there were safety concerns for the aging 21-year-old structure.
It then fell to Bedford’s Department of Public Works to provide a quote to repair and make safe these current issues and their estimate came in at approximately $20,000. After much deliberation, it was decided that funding for a whole new play structure should be brought forward at this time. As a result, the popular playground area became out of bounds to students and all but the swings and bridge area were removed in January this year.
In order to determine the shape of any new playground, the newly formed committee sent out a survey to families in December last year and over 100 responses were received. The organization that designed and built the Davis School playground, O’Brien, and Sons, were consulted and a new ‘PlayBooster Play Structure’ was presented. This structure includes a wheelchair accessible area and interactive sections that encourage sensory growth and stimulation. The play equipment complies with guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act. It is worth noting that the existing swings will remain, as these are in good working order.
The new structure will cost just under $128,000 including installation and surfacing. Bedford’s Department of Public Works already has allocated $110,407.31 for this task. The remaining sum of $17,500 will be generously donated by the Bedford Elementary Schools Together (BEST) parent-teacher organization.
This new layout will actually be smaller than the existing structure. The committee also looked into the possibility of additional free-standing elements which will help to support the development of children’s motor skills, balance, coordination, muscle endurance, problem-solving skills, social skills and much more. Kinney’s presentation contained several ‘wish items’ including:
- Geoplex Climber ~ $13,303.25
- Topsy Turny Spinner ~ $ 6,453.25
- Adventurescape (climbing boulder) ~ $19,941.50
The playground committee is currently looking at possible sponsorships and grants to help fund these additional items. In terms of timing, the deadline for budget approval and purchase is mid-March and it is hoped that July 1 will be the break ground date for installation, and the playground will be completed by September in time for the new school year.
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