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12/17/2018 11:00 PMIn a short ceremony at First Selectman Mike Freda’s office on Dec. 10, three local Rotary clubs presented the PTA with a $14,000 check to support the creation of a new ADA compliant playground at Ridge Road Elementary School.
According to PTA Vice-President Christina Montanari, the existing playground is difficult to get to for some students with disabilities. The new playground will include paths and ramps to allow all children access.
It will also feature play components of varying sizes that engage different senses to make it more accessible to more students.
“It was decided that if one kid can’t play on the playground, that’s too many,” Montanari said.
More than half of that money came from the clubs themselves through regular Rotary fundraisers, but they also found a grant to supplement some of the funds.
Diane Eger, the executive secretary of the Orange Rotary Club, was the principal contact on a grant the clubs applied for to secure more funds for the school.
“The Rotary has a very large heart for children,” Egers said. “Children need to play to grow...They learn to support each other.”
Egers said that helping out with the project was an “opportunity to participate in a project to provide a playground environment for children with all abilities.”
The project began a PTA member noticed that a child was excluded from play because of the limited access. A group of parents of children with special needs came together to advocate for the playground, but staff, teachers, and kids alike were all on board with the project, Montanari said.
In total, the project cost $250,000. The funds were raised entirely from private, corporate, and charitable foundation sources.
In addition to the money received through the Rotary Clubs, Ridge Road raised funds with events like penny wars and, notably a school-wide, superhero themed spell-a-thon that raised $20,000 from sponsors.
“It was pretty awesome,” Montanari said. “[The kids] were superheroes, they were super-spellers.”
The project also received support from the first selectman, who was able to find and encourage local businesses to contribute as well.
With the Rotary’s support, the ADA compliant playground is fully funded. With ground already broken and construction in progress, Ridge Road can expect its new playground in time for return of spring recess.