Town of Mansfield Facilities Director Michael Posocco has announced that the playground at the Mansfield Elementary School will be closed to the public after the school year ends on June 16 for new upgrades including new equipment and installation of rubberized surfacing. The projects may take most of the summer to complete, and the gates to the playground will be secured to prohibit pedestrian access.
The first improvement is the addition of a We-Go-Round, a fun and inclusive spinner built with American Disabilities Act (ADA) sensibility in mind. Children can walk or roll into this ground-level merry-go- round-type apparatus for a fun spinning experience. It will be installed at the main elementary playground.
While students are not in school, crews will also apply rubber surfacing on sections of the elementary playground, as well as the PreK-Kindergarten play areas, replacing wood chips in certain sections. This surface makes the ground safer and optimizes accessibility for users.
A shade structure will also be installed in the main playground. Many deteriorating trees were removed this spring adjacent to the playground, and formerly shaded spots are now more exposed to the sun.
“Our playground is a special place for our students, and we know they’ll miss it while it’s under construction,” says Principal Kate McCoy. “Summer gives us the best opportunity to make these important updates. We’re excited for students to enjoy the new We-Go-Round when they return in August, and we’re grateful to our families for their patience while the work is completed safely and correctly.”
In an announcement sent home to families, Principal Kate McCoy included a link to help families find Mansfield’s public playgrounds located across Mansfield, including at the Mansfield Public Library nearby, the enhanced Bicentennial Pond Recreational Area, at Sunny Acres Park, and the Mansfield Community Playground to the rear of the Mansfield Community Center. Mansfield also offers more than 120 miles of trails and pathways, and a BMX/Skate Park facility at the community center. Students attending summer school at Mansfield Elementary School in July will be engaging in activities outdoors including the learning gardens, on nearby hiking trails, and other outdoor learning spaces around the elementary school.
While the playground is secured, the Town’s Facilities staff will also oversee installation of fencing between the school grounds and neighbors’ properties. Tree-cutting took place during April break in preparation for this project.
Any updates to the schedule will be posted to the district’s website as they occur.