This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/14/2019 12:00 AMThe Ridge Road PTA unveiled a newly completed playground in a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 8. The new design, which complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has been two years in the making.
The ribbon cutting was attended by PTA President Christina Montanari and member Erin Lamb, First Selectman Mike Freda, Superintendent of Schools Patrick Stirk, and Quinnipiac University President Judy Olian, who helped to sponsor the project.
“Our goal in building this playground was to provide a place where all students can play together,” Lamb said. “Everyone can get to this playground and access the components...whether students use a wheelchair or a walker or run nonstop.”
Planning for the new playground began in February 2017 and its final cost totaled $278,000. The playground was paid for with the help of corporate, foundation, and individual contributions, with Quinnipiac University the top donor.
“As educators, we know how important play is,” Olian said. “This is where kids learn how to share, how to be creative, how to self-regulate.”
She said that the university’s cooperation with town projects is in line with its mission.
“We’ve long established this town and gown relationship and have before sponsored a wide variety of school related projects,” Olian said. “It relates to our third pillar of nurturing community.”
Funding for the playground was also supported by Calare Properties, Rotary International, Fantarella Dental Group, GT Landscaping & Excavation, LLC, North Haven Education Foundation, and Brescome Barton, Inc.
“This…was a true collaborative effort between the Board of Education, Town Hall, [and] the sponsorships. A wonderful collaboration on how a community can come together when everyone works for a wonderful common cause,” Freda said at the ribbon cutting.
Students and staff at Ridge Road Elementary School (RRES) also helped to raise $20,000 for the program with their Super Spellers Soar spelling competition in January 2018 and other school wide events.
Milone & MacBroom, Creative Recreation, and GT Landscaping & Excavation, LLC handled the actual design and installation of the playground.
“Every child, whatever their interest, will have something to play on,” Montanari said.
The playground features ramps and rubber surfaces that are traversable by wheelchair, making it more accessible for more children. It also features safety equipment that complies with ADA standards and play equipment that interact with children’s senses of touch, sight, and sound.
Monanari said that since all North Haven school playgrounds are open to the public, the playground will serve not only the 400 children who attend RRES but also children in the town at large.