NO COST: NECC playground paid for by grant, fundraising and creativity.

By Joe Olenick<br><a href="mailto:olenickj@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Joe</a>

If it’s true that it takes a village to raise a child, then it could be said it takes a team to build that child a playground.

Through a grant, fundraising and a little teamwork, children at the Newfane Early Childhood Center will have a new playground this fall. NECC assistant principal Sharon Smith said while the community used the old playground that sits on the east side of the building, it simply is too small and old.

“It was loved out,” Smith said. “It’s no longer able to hold one class.”

The old playground was built at least 15 years ago, Smith estimated. It didn’t pose a safety issue, but the playground was starting to deteriorate. The wood is in bad shape and is sealed every year. It also attracts bees and other pests.

“We’ve had problems with that before,” said Kelli Pines of the NECC.

Just fixing it wasn’t cost-effective, Smith said.

“The recommendation was the best way to go is to replace it,” she said.

The new playground will be able to accommodate two or three classes of children.

It will also feature an “outdoor classroom,” which includes four child-sized picnic tables. There are also two full-sized picnic tables for community use. Classes will be able to go outside for arts and crafts or anything teachers may want to do.

“It’s just a different view of things,” Smith said. “And it gets the kids outside.”

The playground will also be handicapped-accessible. Swings and a motorcycle spring ride will be replaced, and there will be a large green dinosaur under four springs kids can ride.

“I expect that to be a big draw,” Smith said. “It can hold two kids.”

The playground was funded by a $70,000 grant through the office of state Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane. The grant was pursued by NECC interim principal Denille Ander, who also raised $8,750 through a fundraiser, Smith said. The playground comes at no cost to the Newfane taxpayer.

The new playground would be built closer toward the front of the NECC building on the east side. The location increases visibility, both at the front of the school and from Godfrey Road, where the Newfane Early Childhood Center is located. Police can drive by the playground with the circular driveway in front of the building which passes the playground’s planned location. The swings in the back of the playground will be completely visible from the back of the NECC building.

Smith said the playground was a team effort and supported by the district and school board. District business administrator Bart Schuler provided financial advice, and Al Evans, director of operations and facilities, provided a big lift. When the playground was still over budget, Smith said through the creativity of Evans, the total cost of the playground was reduced. Evans figured out how much work his department could do, which brought the whole project under budget by $257.

The playground will be built by Game Time, but the on-site preparation work will be done by Evans and his department. Proposals from three different companies were considered before the NECC went with Game Time. Input was sought from teachers, and even some children.

Smith said groundbreaking will be held Oct. 2 with Maziarz present, and the NECC kids will be bringing spades and shovels. The entire playground should be open by the end of October.

The area will be closed off for a few weeks, but anticipation for the playground is growing.

“We are very excited,” Pines said.