VAN BUREN TWP. — Van Buren Elementary students, staff and parents are in the midst of a fund drive to make their playground more accessible to all children.
About $50,000 is needed to resurface the playground area, said Bridget Rinehimer, a Van Buren teacher.
Right now, the playground equipment is surrounded by pea gravel. That causes difficulties for anyone with limited mobility, whether walking or in a wheelchair, says a fundraising page on youcaring.com, posted by PTO officer Heather Sawyer.
Installing a pour-in-place rubber surface would enable all students to use the equipment.
“Besides the big wooden playset, our biggest concern and complaint is the pea gravel. … We have heard many parent complaints about how dirty the pea gravel makes their children by ruining clothes/shoes. The pea gravel goes home almost daily in pockets and shoes. It can be found in the building and gets thrown all across the blacktop,” the webpage reads.
The PTO met with playground specialist Shane Burris with Recreation Unlimited in Noblesville, who recommended a rubber surface. The PTO is considering either creating paths and islands around each play structure or completely filling in the entire playground, Rinehimer said.
Around $40,000 to $50,000 would be needed to do ADA-accessible paths and islands, around and under playground structures, she said.
Eventually, the PTO would like to replace the wooden play structure with something new, Sawyer said, but the small goal is eliminating the pea gravel.
Students are requesting change and/or bills for a “penny war.” The class that raises the most money will receive a pizza party.
In addition, Principal Gavin Steele has promised that if the students raise $500, he will sleep on Van Buren Elementary’s roof.
Jars are on display in front of the school office to receive pennies in class buckets. Silver coins and paper money are accepted, too, but they give classes negative points, so they’re supposed to go in rivals’ buckets, the penny war flier says.
Last week, Sawyer said the goal was to raise $10,000 by the end of May; $8,400 had been raised by the first week of May.
“Yes, that does sound like a lot of money; however our students are worth it!” Sawyer said on the fundraising page. “I know we have a loving community that always pulls together for our children! Let’s make this a reality!”
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ONLINE: youcaring.com/vanburenelementarypto-1115176
BY CHECK: Checks made out to Van Buren Elementary PTO, with “Playground Fund” in the memo, can be dropped off at the school or mailed to: Van Buren Elementary, 4045 State Road 135 South, Nashville, IN 47448. A savings account has been set up for this money only.
AT EVENTS:
Charity bingo night: Saturday, May 19 at the school. Doors open at 5 p.m., games from 6 to 8 p.m., refreshments sold.
Yard sale/vendor sale: Saturday, June 2 at the school, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors can reserve a 10-by-10-foot space with a table and two chairs for $25. Information: Call or text Maggie at 765-717-2260.
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