Paton School Playground Demolished

Fundraising is already underway by the parent teacher organization at to replace the playground that was demolished earlier this week.

In February, Paton School Principal Jayne Wilkin said an inspection of all school playgrounds were conducted by the town and Paton's was the oldest and considered unsafe.

"When we heard the news, the town helped us take down the playground," Wilkin said. "We heard about it right after February break, and now the students are without a playground for the spring."

In the interim, parents have been asked to donate jump ropes, Chinese jump ropes, playground balls and hula hoops.

"We're hoping to raise the money for the playground," said Paton School PTO President Lorraine Daignault of the fundraising efforts already underway. "But it's going to be costly and for now we're hoping to give the children some new equipment like jump ropes, hula hoops and balls for the rest of the year."

Wilkin said that parents had already dropped off bags of new equipment for the children. "We have very generous parents and community members," she said. "We'd appreciate any donations for the playground."

Daignault has scheduled a PTO meeting for Monday, March 21 at 7 p.m. to discuss fundraising options and ideas for the new playground.

"This traditionally has fallen to the PTO to raise the funds for a new playground," Daignault said. "The school department can't help us, so we have already gotten a parent volunteers to put together a committee for the playground project."

Daignault said she is hopeful that they will raise the funds. "We know it will take some time to raise the money, so in the interim we are welcoming any donations like balls and jump ropes that can be helpful during the fundraising process."

Wilkin said the estimated cost of a new playground is $50,000.

For more information about Paton School or to donate, visit their .