Fundraising to Improve Playground at Franklin School Gets Boost From Westfield Foundation

WESTFIELD, NJ — A campaign to add accessible playground equipment to Franklin Elementary School got a boost recently when the Westfield Foundation donated $20,000 to the effort, leading project organizers to increase the overall fundraising target.

Project Playground, which began in 2022 at Lincoln Early Childhood Center, aims to transform Westfield school playgrounds into spaces that welcome all children, regardless of disability or mobility challenges.

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“The goal of Project Playground is to upgrade each playground at every Westfield school and add accessible equipment and inclusive signage to ensure that children of all abilities can play together,” said Erica Witte, Project Playground co-founder and a Westfield parent.

Since its inception, Project Playground has raised more than $300,000 for inclusive playground equipment at Westfield schools.

Project Playground recently launched at Jefferson Elementary School, where fundraising is quickly ramping up.

After the successful effort at Lincoln, the focus moved early this year to Franklin, which was established in 1929 and is the largest elementary school in Westfield. The initial fundraising goal was $150,000.

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The Project Playground Franklin committee, school Principal Dr. Paul Duncan and Franklin School students were excited recently to host the Westfield Foundation at the school playground for the presentation of a $20,000 grant check to enhance the Franklin playground to be a more inclusive space, Witte said.

“We are honored to enhance our partnership with Project Playground and support the efforts of Franklin School's PTO with a $20,000 grant dedicated to making their playground more accessible,” Westfield Foundation executive director Katie Darcy said.

“With this grant, Project Playground Franklin has raised $148,000 over the past nine months,” Witte noted. “We have increased our target fundraising goal to $170,000, which will fund the installation of accessible and fun playground equipment and surfacing to the playground at Franklin School.”

The Franklin playground is used daily by more than 500 students in grades 1-5, noted Principal Duncan.

“Part of our district strategic plan over the next five years is to focus on student wellness and to also prioritize greater inclusivity across the district and here at Franklin School,” Duncan explained.

“While those things take on many forms, when we think about student play, which is so essential at the elementary level, we are prioritizing making sure that we create greater access to the playground, and once students are on the playground, to have more equipment where everyone can access it,” he said.

“That’s why we are so grateful about our partnership with Project Playground. We are inspired by their passion, and we can’t wait to see what we do together with our community’s support,” he said.

“This initiative has the clear ability to positively impact a large number of children, as all Franklin kids enjoy recess daily,” said Tamra Feldman, Franklin Elementary School PTO board administrative treasurer.

In addition to accessibility, the project will also fix broken equipment, create accessible pathways and add more seating.

“All of these new components will complement the existing playground structures at Franklin and will only strengthen the impact of a newly updated accessible playground,” Witte said.

To learn more about the project and how to donate, click here. To follow the project on social media, click here.

Added Witte, “Our website also has options if your business is interested in becoming a playground sponsor or if you would like to permanently add your name to the playground.”

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