Playgrounds under construction at five schools
According to the students at Dunn Elementary, they have a new park on campus.
Their new park is actually a new playground.
“The new playground at Dunn is now affectionately called a ‘park’ by our students,” said Dunn principal Mary Helen Burnett. “They cannot believe it’s for them and love everything about it. There is so much to explore and places for everyone to play and grow!”
The new playgrounds are popping up all over the district, with new ones also opening this spring at Burgin, Morton, Rankin and Hill elementary schools. And Blanton is next.
New playground at Hill Elementary
“Learners at Hill are LOVING the new playground,” said Hill principal Kasie Longoria. “Even our sixth graders are finding so much joy in true authentic play. Thank you AISD for bringing joy to our kids!”
The new playgrounds are part of the 2019 Bond program. Every elementary school is getting two – one for pre-K through first grade, and the other for second through sixth grade. The playgrounds were designed with teacher and student input and include shade structures, accessible play equipment and rubber surfacing. While the equipment is standard from campus to campus, each school got to make its own color selections.
Three phases
The playgrounds are getting installed at all 53 Arlington ISD elementary schools in three phases, with 29 schools now complete. The first phase, with 17 schools, is done, and phase two is nearing completion. Schools with playgrounds open in phase two include Burgin, Crow, Ditto, Dunn, Hill, Jones, Farrell, Fitzgerald, Morton, Rankin, Webb and Wimbish.
Work is also underway at the final schools in phase two:
- Blanton Elementary’s new playground equipment is in, and the rubber surfacing is being installed this week. The new playgrounds could open as soon as next week.
- At Patrick Elementary and Kooken Educational Center, demolition is done. The concrete is now getting poured at Kooken, and the concrete will be poured at Patrick in about two weeks.
- Work is underway at Butler and Sherrod elementary schools where they are halfway done with demolition.
Following phase two, construction will start on the third and final phase. Phase three includes Adams, Amos, Atherton, Berry, Foster, Goodman, Hale, Johns, Key, Little, McNutt, Miller, Peach, Pope, Short, South Davis, Speer, Swift and Thornton.