ALBANY — The Alexander Inclusive Playground Project has made swift work of their scheduled community build since they began on June 10, and are nearly a full week ahead of schedule.
According to a previous Messenger report, the group is chaired by Annah Korpi and Lisa Wigal and strives to replace the playground equipment at Alexander Elementary School to create a more inclusive environment.
The group split the project into three sections in order to bring each to full completion. It is in the midst of constructing section one, located behind the school.
“We’re really surprised at how quickly everything has come up,” Wigal said. “Looking at it now, it looks like it’s almost finished. We had a lot of volunteers come out and show up and help; and a lot of people with a lot of skill and we’re grateful. And I think it’s gone great.”
Not only did the group receive volunteers from their requests to the community, but Demko Construction and Little Tikes sent teams to help with the build, Korpi said. Their work, in conjunction with the excellent weather, played a huge role in staying ahead of schedule, she added.
Volunteers and the construction teams worked to remove both the equipment and mulch that were previously used to make way for a new ground layer and brand new play structures, Wigal said.
Erin Shultz, a build volunteer and intervention specialist at Alexander Elementary, emphasized not only her excitement regarding the build, but also the importance of the project for children.
She pointed out the downfalls of mulch on playgrounds — although it is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant — it often causes trouble for those who use wheels to get around. Additionally, the previous play structure’s access points consisted of ladders, stairs or climbing walls, which caused a barrier for children who are unable to use those methods of movement, she added.
“The reason that’s problematic is because, you know, the business of childhood is play, right and building those social interactions and making friendships that are going to last you throughout school and a lot of that happens at recess,” Shultz said. “And if you’re stuck on the sidelines because you can’t go play with all the other kids on the pieces of equipment, that’s really limiting.”
In order to address these concerns, Wigal and Korpi worked to find play structures which feature ramps throughout to allow all children to be able to easily access each area. Further, the mulch will be replaced with a type of rubberized surfacing to allow those who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices to more easily access the playground, Wigal said.
The group is still working to install appropriate drainage for the surfacing, but they are hopeful they will be able to move up the surfacing’s pour date given their fast build, Korpi added. At the end of the build’s first week, each piece of vibrant blue equipment was almost complete, with just a few parts missing due to shipping mishaps, she said.
Both Korpi and Wigal are excited to reveal the finished product in just a few weeks, particularly considering the feedback they have received. Not only was the color and theme — which will be revealed when the project is finished — chosen by the student body, Wigal’s own children have given their stamp of approval, Korpi said.
“My son today — his twin is in a wheelchair — my son is like ‘I get to play with Emma now,’ and so that was like, you know, that got my heart,” Wigal said.
Most Popular
Comments / 0