Published: February 04, 2007 11:01 pm      

‘Growing Up Fun’ at Watson Elementary

Project to buy handicap-accessible playground sets

FAIRMONT — Parents at Watson Elementary hope to give all students a reason to cheer.

A group of parents, in association with the school, have initiated the Growing Up Fun project. The goal is to raise enough money to buy handicapped-accessible playground equipment and enough volunteer support to install it.

The group estimates the new playground will cost about $100,000. So far, the group has about $28,000, which includes a community-based initiative grant from the state Department of Health and Human Resources.

Principal Randall Farley said the group hopes to have the playground constructed and ready for play by June.

He said the equipment, which will be placed in a field adjacent to the existing playground, will benefit all students at the school.

Farley said parents began raising funds for the existing playground about five years ago. It was constructed three years ago at a cost of about $65,000.

“We couldn’t finish what we wanted because we ran out of money,” Farley said.

A handicapped-accessible playground would provide all students, including incoming preschool students, the opportunity to play together.

Farley noted when the school begins accepting preschool students on campus, the playground equipment needs to be compliant with age-appropriate regulations and also needs to be fenced in. The Growing Up Fun playground would meet those needs as well, he said.

According to information released by the project, the playground would foster growth, development and social interaction of the children. Watson’s existing playground has a base of pea gravel, which makes it impossible for students in wheelchairs or with other mobility problems, to access the equipment. Also, there are no ramps for wheelchairs and the equipment is nearly impossible to climb on for students with mobility problems.

The group indicates there are 840 children with special needs in the county and none of the playgrounds at the schools are totally handicapped-accessible.

According to the project, the playground may also foster economic development in the Watson area, making the school more attractive to home buyers.

The group hopes to provide a playground with a multitude of features, including a sand table instead of a sandbox, swings designed for students in wheelchairs, a wheelchair-accessible playhouse, ramps, a proper surface and a storage building to protect the equipment.

The parent group has contacted a variety of sources in the community asking for help and have received it. They hope to get even more assistance in the coming months. Last week, the group petitioned the Marion County Board of Education for $10,000 toward the project and maintenance staff to help install it.

Farley noted any and all help would be appreciated. To make a donation, call Watson Elementary at 367-2156.

E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.