New playgrounds at Wolfpit Elementary School

Lynners gather at Flax' new pad Originally Published on Thursday, August 25, 2011 By Jessica Trufant / The Daily Item 

Zak Perry was just one among many Lynn children to enjoy themselves Wednesday using the new splash pad at Flax Pond. (Item Photo / Owen O'Rourke

LYNN – Dozens of children were the first to play in the water of Lynn's new splash pad during the official Flax Pond re-opening ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.

Parents, Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy and a number of other city and state officials looked on, enjoying the scenery of the newly improved park on a hot late summer day.

"It's terrific! Look at the kids. They're having so much fun and it didn't take them long to figure out how to turn it on themselves," said Kennedy, who wasn't afraid to get wet when she accompanied a toddler on the splash pad. "It's something that the kids can use for the practical purpose of cooling down on really hot days and it keeps them out of the pond."

A new concrete walkway cuts a swath through the park leading to the city's first splash pad area, which is set with sprinkler heads and ground cover. Other improvements to Flax Pond include installation of new children's play equipment, benches, a new wooden guard rail along Chestnut Street and a fountain in the pond that lights up at night. Existing basketball and tennis courts were resurfaced and the pond was treated for algae. There will also be a new gazebo installed at the beginning of September.

The work totaling $700,000 was paid for with a state and federal grant – one for $490,000 and a second for $210,000 – specifically earmarked for improvements to Flax Pond and the park that surrounds it. According to Community Facilities Specialist Michael Murray, the project contracted by N. Sacca & Sons, Inc., has been in the works for two years.

"They did a great job. They were on a tight schedule, but they worked it out," said Murray. He noted that he and Community Facilities Manager John Moberger oversaw the project. "We pushed the opening up because summer's almost over and we wanted the kids to be able to use it. The park has been busy every night since the playground went up."

The project was supposed to be completed by June 30 or the city stood to lose the $700,000 in grant money. Community Development Director James Marsh said the city was given an extension to Aug. 1 but sailed past that deadline as well due to several issues, including an abutter to the park who appealed the Department of Environmental Protection's approval of the project. Marsh said the state took into account that the city had to go through an appeals process, hence the time extensions.

As for maintenance, Murray said both the fountain and splash pad are on timers from morning until night. The fountain is on wheels and will be removed from the pond come winter, and the Department of Public Works was given instructions by the manufacturer on how to winterize the splash pad. Outreach Street Workers Antonio Gutierrez and Teresa Vongsa also said they'll be keeping a good eye on the park to make sure it's well taken care off.

"We drive up here almost every single night and the playground is so utilized. It's great," said Vongsa.

Mayor Kennedy noted that the next two improvement projects are the restoration of McManus Field and the Lynn Common project, which is ongoing. She said ultimately the gazebo will be made handicapped accessible and lighting and mile markers for walkers will be added once the funding is available.

West School PTC celebrates completion of two new playgrounds

Monday, 26 September 2011 12:05

Above, West School kids at play on the new back playground following the ceremony.

Bright, shiny new play equipment, climbing nets, roller slides, sensory panels, overhead climbers, and a 96-inch tower slide — these are among features of the two new playgrounds installed before the start of the year at West School, the result of a successful fund-raising campaign by the school’s Parent Teacher Council.

Last Sunday, September 18, parents, administrators, teachers and students celebrated the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the school’s back-to-school ice cream social.

“The new playgrounds are a great example of what can be accomplished when good and committed people work together toward a common goal,” said PTC President Sheri West.

Each year, West and the other elementary schools’ PTCs work with teachers and administrators to identify a capital improvement or academic enhancement not included in the regular budget, West said.

“In prior years, we raised money for a piano for the music room, for weather stations for the science room, for SMART Boards for the classrooms and a rock climbing wall for the gym,” she said. “This campaign [for the playgrounds], has been very successful.”

From left, West School Principal Dr. Jill Correnty joins Westy the Whale and Assistant Principal JoAnne LaVista at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and official opening of school’s new playgrounds, made possible by fund-raising efforts through the Parent-Teacher Council.

The playground project was identified as a need several years ago, because the old, wooden structures were outdated — approximately 15 years old. West said that while the PTC began discussing a new playground, because of the economic conditions, it was put off until recently, when the council revitalized the effort.

“We initially kicked it off as a multi-year, fund-raising project, but through the very generous support of our parent community, we reached our target and we were able to accomplish everything we dreamed of this summer,” West said.

The PTC enlisted input from teachers on the kind of equipment they thought the students would enjoy.

“The teachers know how the kids play,” West said.

A committee of parent representatives, teachers and administrators went out and visited playgrounds to identify best practices for equipment. They researched equipment vendors, and with the help of the district’s resources, had the equipment installed.

“The district helped demolish and install the new playgrounds,” West said. “The kids then ‘tested’ the equipment, and now everyone is just thrilled with the results.”

In addition to the actual playgrounds, the PTC was able to install new basketball hoops, a new black top surface and a brand new walking path for the school’s Mileage Club. The club, in which 70% of students in grades two through four participate, promotes physical fitness, wellness and friendship, and offers a fitness goal for students to accomplish, according to West. During recess the kids do laps: five laps represents a mile, and he or she receives a token for each mile completed. For bigger milestones — 10 to 20 miles, or more — students receive certificates of achievement.

Now, instead of walking the grass perimeter of the field, the kids can walk a path of stepping stones, each of which is engraved with a West School character trait.

“Our parents are just so generous,” West said. “It’s just a great thing for the community.”

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