Penny-wise students at Arthur Jacobsen Elementary School are pitching in to support a unique regional playground project.
Students raised $209.47 in a school-wide coin drive to benefit the City of Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Department’s barrier-free playground at Les Gove Park. The planned 10,000-square-foot playground is designed with the physical, sensory and developmental abilities of all children in mind.
“Often, children with disabilities are left to sit and watch their able-bodied friends and siblings play and sometimes, parents or grandparents with disabilities are unable to access the playground with their able-bodied children,” said Linda Cowan, former Auburn School District superintendent and Imagine Play for All fundraising task force member. “We want to ensure everybody has the opportunity to play together at this new barrier-free playground.”
The penny drive was the inaugural project for Arthur Jacobsen’s newly-established National Honor Society, a group of 20 students under co-advisors Debbi Capponi-Glidewell and Steve Christiansen.
“It was an exciting project for them,” said AJ Principal Eric Daniel. “It’s fun doing something for others. And this project was very worthwhile.”
Students put in considerable time, even sacrificing their lunch and recess time, to acquire pennies.
The Honor Society plans to participate in other activities, including the school’s giving tree and food drive programs.
To qualify for the club, students must maintain excellence in citizenship and keep up a 3.8 GPA. The club voted Avery Grant president, Tyler Tan vice president and Blair Forsberg secretary for the 2009-10 school year.
Meanwhile, the project’s task force has been effective in raising financial support. About $200,000 in corporate grants and donations have been raised for the $300,000 playground, according to Daryl Faber, Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation director. The new playground would replace a former play structure, originally installed in the 1960s that is not universally accessible and needs an update.
The task force’s goal is to complete the fundraising efforts by spring.
The barrier-free playground will include universally-accessible pathways and surfacing; play structures configured to support all levels of development; ramps, bridges, and transfer stations – allowing every child to reach the highest play deck; elevated sand tables, interactive walls, activity panels and auditory elements.
“It will be a regional draw,” said Lynn Norman, City of Auburn Councilmember and barrier-free playground task force member.
Donations can be made by corporations, businesses, foundations or individuals and are being accepted by the City of Auburn’s non-profit community partner, the Northwest Parks Foundation. To make a gift to the campaign by credit card, please visit www.nwparks.org. To make a donation by mail, please send a check to the Northwest Parks Foundation, c/o Auburn Imagine Play for All, P.O. Box 605, Woodinville, WA 98072-0605. Matching gifts also are encouraged.
For additional details about the project, call the Parks, Arts and Rec Department at 253-931-3043 or the Northwest Parks Foundation at 425-284-0420.
