Milford seeks help assembling school playground

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August 16, 2012

Milford seeks help assembling school playground

Mark Boshnack Daily Star The Daily Star Thu Aug 16, 2012, 09:20 AM EDT

MILFORD — Volunteers are sought to help make a difference for students at Milford Central School for years to come, two people involved with a playground project said Wednesday.

About seven to 10 people each day are needed to help from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Aug. 27 through Aug. 30 in building two new playgrounds for students in the elementary grades. Experts from set manufacturer Playworld Systems will be on hand to help direct the efforts.

Fifth-grade teacher Michelle Dibble is one of the project organizers. She has worked with the Milford Education Foundation, a nonprofit group that supports school projects, and others in the effort that has raised the approximately $70,000 needed.

“If someone can offer as little as an hour or two (during those days), it would be greatly appreciated,” she said.

The effort to build a new playground began a little more than a year ago after the preschool started at Milford. The existing structure was geared to older children. It was a wooden apparatus that became home for a nest of bees, and since parts could not be replaced when broken, “it just kept shrinking,” Dibble said.

An effort for students, staff and community raised enough for a structure for students in prekindergarten through first grade that will be placed between the soccer and softball fields. With about $50,0000 in state legislative funding secured through the efforts of Assemblyman William Magee, D-Nelson, it was possible to also purchase equipment suitable for students through sixth grade, which will placed in front of the school.

The latter will have equipment such as a “rock wall,” slides and climbing apparatus. It will fit well with the Healthy Milford program at the school designed to improved fitness and well-being for students, Dibble said. It can also be used for physical fitness classes. The playground for younger students includes swings, slides and benches.

School administrative intern Kevin Stevens said the playground recently removed from the front of the school had been in place for more than 20 years.

“It was time for it to come out,” he said.

A successful volunteer effort will have the playground ready for the start of school, he said. No special training is needed for those volunteering. Playgrounds are a focal point between the school and the community, he said.

“I hope this is an opportunity for the next generation to feel that they have contributed,” he said.

Anyone wanting to get involved can call Dibble at 293-7718, or email school facilities manager Donna Ackerman at dackerman@milfordcentral.org with date and time available.