Three new playscapes, secured by a state grant, have been completed and are now in use at the respective sites.
State Rep. Dorinda Borer (D-115) secured a $450,000 state grant to fund the construction of three new playscapes during the last session of the General Assembly. Building Committee Chairman Ken Carney oversaw the project with support from Superintendent of Schools Neil Cavallaro.
Playground equipment supplier Childscapes installed the safe and state-of-the-art playscapes at the following locations:
Edith Mackrille School — This spacious and colorful playscape features 1,540 square feet of rubber safety surfacing, three benches, and several recreational structures.
Glade Street Park — The largest of the three, this has about 1610 square feet of Rubber Safety Surfacing, a bench, and features a swing set.
Seth G. Haley Elementary — The Rubber Safety Surfacing covers about 1540 square feet. There is a bench and a bright yellow slide.
The old playgrounds could not accommodate the number of students at the two schools, and Glade Street Park is a West Haven Housing Authority Complex without a playpark.
Borer said she believes playing is a component of children’s happiness, health, and growth.
According to Mackrille Principal Taryn Driend, the new playscape’s rubberized matting is soft as a cushion, making it a safe space for playing. She also said the kids love the musical features (instruments), the market, and other fun equipment.
There is a bench named after late crossing guard Deb Hutchinson, installed in 2012, and two new benches. Families enjoy congregating at the playscape at Mackrille after school, so it has brought the community together, school officials say.