Earlier in the week we posted the details about the new playground at John Stanford, and the ribbon cutting ceremony that was scheduled for Tuesday. Wallingford neighbor and photographer Nancy Treder attended the ceremony for the snazzy new playground, and she was kind enough to send us the following report and set of photos. Take it away, Nancy, and thank you!
Students climbing to new heights on JSIS playground
Grey skies nor the threat of rain seemed to dampen the spirits of the JSIS student body as they eagerly awaited the official opening of the new playground climbing structure Tuesday morning in Wallingford.
The playground renovation project spearheaded by Kim Lokan and PTSA President Janel London was many years in the making, but today all the hard work and countless hours of effort by friends, family, teachers and students was greeted with cheers and laughter as the first lucky few climbed onto the structure.
Lokan & London’s goal was to revitalize the smallest of all Seattle Public Schools play areas and the challenge called for a different approach as there is no new area for the playground to expand. The new rope climbing structure is similar to those seen throughout playgrounds in major European cities where child play structures must be very innovative due to the limited space allowances of smaller pocket parks in crowded neighborhoods.
In June 2010, the PTSA’s End of Year Fundraising Challenge raised over $25,000 meeting it’s goal to start the playground renovation project. This project was funded in part by a Neighborhood Matching Fund award from the City of Seattle, Department of Neighborhoods and by generous contributions from JSIS PTSA and Latona School Associates (LSA).
Photos courtesy of Nancy Treder
Way to go ladies!! You perservered through a mountain of red tape and your time and effort has finally paid off! Thank you!
And many thanks to the JSIS families, UW students and staff, Apple Corps members, SSD board member, friends, and neighbors who spent MLK Day at JSIS to make the school grounds look great for the grand opening!