Support Swells for Playground Project

Community support is mounting for playground rebuilding efforts.

The playground was razed this winter due to safety concerns, and the school has been without a play structure ever since.

Since fundraising began this spring, Paton’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has been working on various partnerships, promotions and events to raise the approximately $60,000 needed to install new playground equipment.

“The Paton Playground Rebuild Fundraising Committee has been aggressively fundraising since early spring and has raised close to half of the necessary funds,” said PTO President Lorraine Daignault.

This spring, the Shrewsbury partnered with Paton’s PTO to raise funds through two promotions. The first was a Friday pizza promotion in May, during which the store donated $2 of every pizza sold in their food court to the playground fund and also raffled a home gym and basketball set.

The second, a pin-up promotion, offered customers the opportunity to donate $1 or $5 at checkout to benefit the playground; Price Chopper matched collected donations.

The store will also run an outdoor hot dog stand on July 15-16 from noon to 6 p.m., and all proceeds will benefit the playground initiative.

The PTO is also offering families, individual and businesses in the community the opportunity to buy engraved bricks that will eventually pave part of the playground area.

Family/individual bricks are either 4x8 ($100 for first brick, with additional bricks discounted and 8x8 bricks for $225). Information about brick ordering is available here.

Fundraising events will continue into the fall. On Oct. 9, Pups for Paton’s Playground, Shrewsbury’s first dog 5K, will take place starting at noon from Oak Middle School.

The event will include a 1-mile fun run, and proceeds from the race will go to benefit playground rebuild efforts. All well-behaved, registered dogs will be welcome, though participants need not have a dog to run. Registration information and race details are available at the event's website.

Additionally, will host a family fundraiser and open house this fall featuring games and prizes. Throughout the day, kids ages 7 to 12 can participate in free fit kids classes. A portion of the proceeds from sign-ups for the fit kids 6-to-7-week course will benefit the playground. The date for the open house is to be determined.

Paton’s PTO is also offering tailored sponsorships to businesses in town. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact PTO president Lorraine Daignault at patonpto@gmail.com.