Hampstead playground designed for preschoolers

By Jillian Jorgensen jjorgensen@eagletribune.com

HAMPSTEAD — There's a new playground for preschoolers behind Hampstead Central School, and thanks to the Mothers' Club and federal stimulus funds, it was built without taxpayer money.

School officials said the playground was made possible thanks to a "generous" donation from the Hampstead Mothers' Club, and federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money available to the district's special education department.

"It's so exciting. We're just so happy to be able to be a part of that and be able to give back to the school and the kids," club President Missy Dinsmore said. "It's been a long time coming."

The club donated $5,860 for the project to cover what was left after a $13,000 stimulus grant. Karen Gallagher, director of special education for the Hampstead School District, said the federal funding was specifically for preschool special education.

"We designed the playground to meet the needs of our preschool special education students," she said.

Many playgrounds are sold together in "cookie cutter" designs, she said. But in Hampstead, the entire special education and preschool staffs teamed up to design one that would work for their students — and be fun for other kids, too.

"It's going to be popular with all the kids," Gallagher said.

She said the new playground will replace a steep metal slide.

"This is ideal," she said. "This is perfect. This is for kids 2 to 5."

Some components are on the ground level of the playground, including bongo drums and chimes. Gallagher said during preschool, students learn while they play.

The playground was designed to encourage kids to play together, she said.

"We have a double slide," she said. "We thought of that because we wanted kids to be able to interact with each other."

Dinsmore said the Mothers' Club's capital committee searches for worthy projects to donate money to each year.

The head of the committee had spoken to the special education department at Central School, Dinsmore said.

"They brought up the dream of having this playground," she said.

After school hours, the playground will be open to all children. A ribbon-cutting scheduled for Wednesday was moved inside due to soggy weather.

"It was dreary outside, but it was definitely cheery inside," Dinsmore said.

Once the sun came out yesterday, children were playing on the new equipment.

The special education staff and preschool staff collaborated with playground designer M.E. O'Brien and Sons of Medfield, Mass.

The firm also designed the school's other play equipment, which is geared toward elementary-age children.

The school also got another addition to its elementary school play equipment, at no cost — a Gyro Twister, which was available to the district because Principal Dillard Collins is a member of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. O'Brien and Sons installed the playground spinner at no charge.

The playground equipment was manufactured by Landscape Structures of Delano, Minn

.

The Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium (MHEC) is a nonprofit purchasing consortium that was established in 1977.  The purchasing consortium consists of over 85 Colleges and Universities all over New England that have banned together to increase their buying power and purchase quality products.

O'Brien and Sons offers outdoor site furnishings and accessories that include benches, bike racks, planters, picnic tables, playground equipment, athletic equipment and signage at a discount to participating colleges and universities. 

The Contract Number for Athletic Equipment is B14 and the Contract Number for Recycled Products (benches, bike racks, planters, picnic tables, playground equipment and signage) is G23.    

M.E. O'Brien & Sons is proud to be a member of Associated Industries of Massachusetts. 

Established in 1915, AIM is the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan association of Massachusetts employers.  AIM's mission is to promote the well-being of its members and their employees and the prosperity of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by

• improving the economic climate of Massachusetts,
• proactively advocating fair and equitable public policy,
• providing relevant, reliable information and excellent services.

Project Name: Beachgrounds Park

Location: South Hadley, MA

Product Category: Playground Equipment and Water Play

Manufacturer: Landscape Structures, Inc. and Vortex

Project Description: Located in the heart of South Hadley is a brand new multi-recreation and athletic complex that has been designed and built for the enjoyment of the residents.  Shown here is a combination playground and splash pad.  The newly designed Vortex splash pad adds the element of keeping cool in hot weather while the new Landscape Structures EVOS provides a unique and challenging play experience that disguises physical fitness as play. 

Running back and forth between the two play elements keeps kids very busy during hot summer days!

Sales Person: Andy Berger

Click on one of the following states to find a playground near you!

• Connecticut
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

Project Name: Grimmons Park

Location: Somerville, MA

Product Category: Playground Equipment

Manufacturer: Landscape Structures, Inc.

Project Description:

This playground sits on the lot of a former school.  The original school doorway is all that remains and acts as an entrance to this beautiful new playground area. 

The 5-12 play area consists of a combination PlayBooster and Evos structure while the 2-5 play area consists of a combination PlayShaper and Weevos structure.  Arches on all of the play equipment create a uniform design that is pleasing to the eye. 

Sales Person: John Taylor

Projects designed and installed in the State of Rhode Island are listed by Town, Playground Name, Project Type and Year installed. To view our featured projects for the State of Rhode Island click here.

Project Name: Davis’ Farmland Location: Sterling, MA Product Category: Water Play Manufacturer: Vortex Project Description: This farm turned pay-to-play park includes a recirculating splashpad installed in 2002.  The kids have a blast as they travel through Spray Loops, drive around in the Water Buggy or get soaked by the Water Tower.  A great way to conserve water, our WQMS recirculation system for High FLow Splashpads keeps water consumption as low as possible and maintains safe water quality. Sales Person: Andy Berger