LEAH MOORE and Maddox Richardson, kindergarten students at John Gregg Elementary School, took advantage of the nice fall weather to enjoy new playground equipment at the school. Sets were installed at John Gregg and Stanton Elementary in November and feature swings, slides and other amenities. The total project cost an estimated $145,986 and was paid through a mixture of district funds and a Playcore matching grant from DWA Recreation of Harrison, Ohio, which also installed the equipment.

BERGHOLZ — Elementary schools within the Edison Local School District have some new equipment on hand for students to enjoy during recess.

New playground equipment was added at John Gregg and Stanton Elementary schools in November and Assistant Superintendent Julie Kireta said the district obtained a Playcore grant through DWA Recreation of Harrison, Ohio, which matched district funds for the estimated $145,986 project. Kireta said the items replace outdated equipment and expenses include groundwork, installation and the play structures.

“The equipment arrived around Nov. 5 at John Gregg and students began playing on the playground the following week,” she said. “Stanton’s work began once John Gregg was completed and students there were able to play on the new playground on Nov. 25.”

She said the district defrayed costs for the upgrades while the Playcore grant matched the cost of the large playground equipment, while the items were installed by DWA Recreation. The new playground at John Gregg replaces items which previously came from the former Pleasant Hill Elementary School.

“The playground was designed around the six elements of play: balancing, sliding, brachiating (swinging with the arms), spinning, climbing and swinging,” she said. “The new equipment includes swings, a balance beam, spinner and one large piece that includes slides and climbing structures. The previous equipment was installed at various times and was beginning to become dated.”

District Superintendent Bill Beattie said the goal was to keep kids active and potentially make further improvements to the sites.

“The students were very excited to be able to play on the new playground equipment,” Beattie concluded. “It is our hope in the future to investigate additional pieces of equipment to enhance the playgrounds even more.”