New Playground Opens at Cornerstone School

CRANSTON, RI — The children slid down the "fish chute" today at the Cornerstone School. Besides the new playground slide, the children can now enjoy a big sandbox inside a post-and-beam style fish shack.

Cornerstone Cove, as the new playground has been dubbed, opened officially this morning when educators, politicians, business leaders, volunteers and donors met for the dedication.

According to Mayor Allan Fung, the new playground satisfies “a true need” since the school is “a critical service point for many individuals and an important part of our community. Fung said the space "will provide the opportunity for students to enjoy the playground, enhance their learning experience and have lots of fun integrating it into their learning day right here at the wonderful Cornerstone School.”

The project was a collaboration between the school, Access Point RI, the Rhode Island Tree Council and Providence law firm Cameron & Mittleman.

Karen DelPonte, a partner at the law firm, said that they originally wanted to plant 30 trees. That was when she bumped into an old friend who offered a different suggestion. One thing led to another, and the result is Conerstone Cove.

According to the mayor's office, the "playground features a lawn area, rubberized safety surfacing, magnetic murals, stone counters, an accessible sand play area, gardening area, talk tubes, water play areas, storage areas, a rope fence and the prominent play house 'fish shack' feature."