Redding Elementary Seeks Help Building New Playground

REDDING, CT — Redding Elementary School and the RES PTA are reaching out to the community for assistance building a new playground.

The new intermediate-level playground will replace a 30-year-old playground, using funds accrued over more than 15 years from private donations, local grants, PTA grants, and PTA student choice votes specifically earmarked for the school playgrounds. The RESPTA membership approved the final donation to support the build in the spring of 2018. Construction is scheduled for Sept. 28-29, with Sept. 30 set as the rain date.

School administration procured five proposals from playground retailers in the spring of 2018. From these proposals, a committee made up of RES PTA and school representatives selected a design that provides the most exciting play elements within funding limits. Ultiplay Parks & Playgrounds, a New England based consulting and construction firm, designed the selected playspace.

The playground will be assembled by members of the community under the supervision of Ultiplay specialists. No prior building experience is required to participate.

Volunteers at least 15 years of age will work in four hour shifts, 8:00 a.m.-noon, and 1:00-5:00 p.m. Food, beverages and babysitting will be provided throughout the day. Community groups, companies and teams of five persons or more will be acknowledged with permanent signage on the playground and in community-wide communications.

A small group will be needed the evening of Sept. 27 to assist with the unloading.

Interested parties can sign up online. Other inquiries may be addressed to RESPlayground@gmail.com or Christopher Basta, RES assistant principal, at (203) 938-2519.

The project will be discussed at the September Redding Board of Education meeting.

Photograph provided by RES.