Community Playground Seeks Donations

The Cherry Brook Primary School PTO is raising funds to replace the aging, wooden playgrounds on the school property with new, accessible, community playgrounds.  The town of Canton does not currently have a large, accessible playground, and as such, the PTO envisions the sets becoming "destination playgrounds" where families from Canton and surrounding towns will meet up after school hours, on weekends, and during school vacations.

The PTO has already raised over $50,000 of the estimated $214,000 required for these necessary updates.  The existing sets are at their life expectancy, with portions of the larger set having already been replaced in order to extend the set's usable life.  The PTO's goal is to raise $150,000 by June of this year.  If this phase one goal is accomplished, the larger playground utilized by first through third graders will be replaced prior to the start of the 2014-2015 school year.  The new set will be geared to children ages 5 through 12 and will incorporate a variety of ADA features and accessories.  The structure itself will have ramping such that a wheel chair bound or mobility challenged individual will be able to access above ground accessories and equipment.  Through the use of Poured in Place rubber surfacing, there will be a seamless transition from the existing paved walkways to the set.  The rubber surfacing will also be used around the structure to provide ground level access to accessories, as well as provide inclusive play opportunities.

The phase two goal would be to raise the remaining amount required to replace the smaller playground - hopefully in 2015.  The smaller set will be geared to children ages 2 to 5 and will incorporate similar ADA features to provide accessible, inclusive play for all students.  Both the larger and smaller set will incorporate equipment that can be utilized for Physical Education classes, as well as Occupational and Physical Therapy.

A permanent sponsorship wall will be located on the larger playground acknowledging donations of $500 and above at the following levels: $500-$999, $1,000-$2,499, $2,500-$4,999, $5,000-$9,999, and $10,000 and above.

In addition to the sponsorship wall, specific components of each playground have sponsorship or memorial opportunities.  Each donated piece will have a small brass plaque that the donor can inscribe with their own personal message.  On the larger playground, donors can choose to sponsor one of eight backed benches for a $1,500 donation or one of four picnic tables for a $2,000 donation.  On the smaller playground donors can sponsor one of four backless benches for a $1,000 donation.

Sponsorship and bench forms are included with this article or can be found on the CBPS PTO website: http://www.cantonschools.org/~cbpspto/

All donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.

Businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in contributing towards this community project can mail checks made out to the CBPS PTO to 4 Barbourtown Road, Canton, CT  06019.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact CBPS PTO Co-Vice President Anne Marie Pelletier at CBPSPTO@CantonSchools.org or 860.693.1594.