Schools
Andover Officials Cut Ribbon On Accessibility Project
Athletic field accessibility project officially opens at High Plain Elementary and Wood Hill Middle Schools.
ANDOVER, MA — From Andover Public Schools: Parents, students, town and school officials, High Plain Elementary and Wood Hill Middle School faculty celebrated the grand opening of the Athletic Field Accessibility project this afternoon. The completion of the town’s project will connect the schools’ basketball court to the lower soccer fields, adding accessibility and inclusivity to the fields. The design will function as a standard for future projects in Andover.
"The lessons and knowledge gained from this project will serve as a blueprint for future accessibility projects in Andover that include the fundamentals of inclusive design. I am very proud to see this project completed,” said Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan. “It is a great example of collaboration and I am pleased we will be able provide opportunity to all who wish to participate and utilize the space.”
“We are thrilled that all students, and the entire Andover community, can access the fields at the High Plain and Wood Hill schools,” notes Superintendent Sheldon Berman, Ed D. “We commend the town for its continued commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.”
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School Committee Chairperson Shannon Scully spoke directly to the students. “I hope you look at this not just as a concrete structure that gets you down to a field,” said Scully, “But also as an example of what can happen
when people work together and advocate for things that are important to them.”
“This has always been about making these fields a community space for all to access and enjoy,” said Pamela
Lathrop, principal at High Plain Elementary. “It’s great to see that all students at High Plain and Wood Hill will beable to reach the fields by the same path; inclusivity was a primary goal.”
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Andover parent Carlene Bell-Flanagan championed the project, which was voted on by the community at Town Meeting in 2017, and construction began in June 2018. Architecture firm Lemon Brooke, who specializes in creating accessible landscapes, created the design. Construction work was performed by Cella Construction. Andover’s Plant and Facilities Project Manager Ihor Raniuk oversaw the project on behalf of the town.
Photo courtesy of Andover Public Schools
