Every child, no matter their abilities, deserves to play on a playground. It is one of the purest joys we have as a child. Some of our fondest memories are made there: best friends for life are found and, for some, even future spouses! The importance of a playground for all cannot be overstated, which is why Dannie Clark, principal at McLane Elementary School in Olympia, approached the board of the McLane Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO) about building an inclusive, ADA-accessible playground for the school.
McLane Elementary Playground Challenges
The current playground is over 30 years old and shows clear signs of being unsafe for children, failing safety inspections. It was also never created for ADA accessibility or for younger children. “When it was originally built, it was intended only for the kindergarten classes,” explains Alisha, fundraising manager for the McLane Parent-Teacher-Student Organization PTS), who volunteered to lead the fundraising of the playground. “Over the years, however, the Olympia School District has added preschool and special education programs to the school, greatly increasing the number of students who rely on the playground.”
McLane Elementary is also home to a Life Skills Program for elementary children with physical, developmental, sensory or mobility challenges. The current playground is not suitable for these children to play safely. Even its location, on a hill, limits access – with no ramps or sidewalks. Bark and grass are hard to traverse with wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
The fundraising goal is $150,000. Raising the funds has proved challenging. “I work in the construction industry and have many contacts in that field, so I first reached out to large construction companies and industry connections, hoping they would support a project benefiting local children,” Alisha says. “Unfortunately, most of those efforts went unanswered, even from companies that regularly build schools.”
So, Alisha shifted her focus to the community, local businesses and families. Amy Long, a staff member at McLane Elementary School, joined the cause. “She has helped reach out to hundreds of companies and also came up with the idea of hosting an auction fundraiser, which will open on May 30th,” shares Alisha.
A New Playground for McLane Elementary
“Our goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and accessible playground where every child has the opportunity to play, learn, and socialize together,” explains Alisha.
First and foremost, the new playground design is about accessibility. “Plans include installing retaining walls, accessible pathways, and ramps so students of all abilities can safely reach and use the playground,” Alisha shares. “The surface would also be replaced with rubber safety matting, allowing wheelchairs and mobility equipment to move freely throughout the play area.”
Age-appropriate interactive toys, sensory activities and games that can be reached from a seated position will be cornerstones to the playground. A small track is being discussed, where kids of all abilities can safely race around together. A teacher has requested a sandbox and sensory play area that would “provide additional opportunities for tactile learning, exploration, and inclusive play for students with sensory needs,” Alisha says.
A communication board is also on the plan. “A communication board is a tool designed to help non-verbal or minimally verbal students communicate with their peers, teachers, and caregivers,” Alisha explains. “These boards use pictures, symbols, words, or icons that students can point to in order to express their wants, needs, emotions, or ideas.”
The new playground is going to be in the same general area as the current one, but will be larger and more spread out, with better access, including pathways.
How You Can Help Build a Playground
Alisha had hoped to have the playground built this summer, but funds need to be raised. As of this writing, they are currently at around $21,000 of the $150,000 goal “It is now looking more like a multi-year project unless we are able to receive a few large grants or donations soon,” she says. “ That said, we are actively applying for grants and continuing our fundraising efforts because we are fully committed to moving this project forward and making progress however we can. We know how important an accessible and inclusive playground will be for the students and families at McLane, and we are determined to make it happen.”
The Rotary Club of Olympia has reached out and is interested in helping with the project.
You can help by making a donation online.
“This playground matters beyond McLane because it reflects a much larger issue of accessibility and inclusion in public schools. Every child deserves access to safe, engaging play spaces, regardless of ability, and that is not always the reality in older school infrastructure.
