Yes, there will be a new playground at Hildreth Elementary School. But like anything that seems too easy, then it probably is; the idea of building the playground in the summer of 2010 is not at all realistic.
The HES playground committee, subcommittee of the HES School Council, has undertaken the huge task of replacing the current playground. We are happy to do so. At one point, we did consider getting the playground funded and installed for summer 2010. Two issues arose to make us consider otherwise. Neither issue was centered around funding.
- The 10,000 gallon oil tank must be removed from the ground this summer. The oil tank is sandwiched between the kindergarten wing and the playground.
- t the time when we needed to make a decision between 2010 or 2011, the sewer line was slated to be installed all the way down Fairbank Street and through the back parking lot of HES.
Both of the above projects will involve large excavation equipment and both projects would be happening during the same time as a playground removal/installation. All this activity would be taking place in the same general area—the back of the school. We realized it was not practical or even possible to schedule another major removal/ installation project.
As for safety and money issues—if we had built the playground this summer, we would have lost $30,000 by putting in a retaining wall that would have been obsolete as soon as it was built. The funding for that safety wall was approved at this spring’s Annual Town Meeting. The money was allocated for the wall to be built this summer, with no connection to future playground upgrades or replacement. The new wall will increase playground safety and will use previously allocated funds from the capital budget.
I hope this clears up some misconceptions. I urge residents to stay tuned for much more playground information. The new HES playground is coming—in the summer of 2011!
Mary Traphagen
HES School Council member and Playground Committee Chair
