As the enrollment of students increase at the Denton Avenue School in Herricks, they can look forward to having more room on their new playground, which is slated to be completed by September.
At a Herricks Board of Education meeting earlier this month, the Denton Avenue Parent Teacher Association presented the Herricks school board of education with a $30,000 donation for a new playground to be built at the Denton Avenue School.
“We wanted something that would promote creative play and physical fitness,” Denton Avenue Parent Teacher Association co-president Debbie Imperatore said.”
Imperatore said that two years ago some of the parents and PTA members got together, and realized the playground equipment needed to be replaced, but knew the school didn’t have the money due to the budget constraints.
“We saw that the playground was a bit outdated, some parts were rusted, and it’s only one big piece,” Imperatore said. We had such an influx of children due to language immersion program. Our numbers increased by 50 kids. In 2009 we began fundraising and after two years we had the money we needed for the playground.”
Imperatore said the Denton Avenue playground was the oldest in the school district and most in need of change, and it was not maximizing the amount of students that could use it.
The new playground will consist of a pirate-ship play system, tree-house play system, a covered sandbox, and a 4 person seesaw that is on springs. As opposed to the one current playground piece, the equipment will consist of multiple structures that will avoid congestion.
Denton Avenue Principal Mary Louise Haley said she was thrilled at the opportunity to upgrade the equipment at the playground, and the children and families were thrilled when they heard the news.
“We know the kids are going to love it,” Haley said. “In addition to fostering imagination and cooperative play, this will help the kids develop physical fitness skills. It’s going to be beautiful and we are extremely appreciative of the PTA’s generosity.”
