By Pyc Fitness
©2004-2008
SALISBURY -- Jake Becker's canary yellow hoodie stood out against the pavement.
After snatching the blue rubber ball, the 8-year-old boy found himself in a white painted box surrounded by envious classmates.
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His buddy, Luke Thornes, reached his hands through the crowd and retrieved the ball seconds later.
"Yeah, I want a new play center," Becker said, taking a deep breath. "I want to have bigger slides, new seesaws, a better basketball court and get a bigger four-square."
"With real basketball hoops," Thornes, 7, added.
Despite Fruitland Primary School's "antiquated" playground equipment, the second-graders relish recess, which promotes social interaction and physical activity, said Principal Darrel Morris.
The percentage of overweight youths has tripled in the past 25 years, according the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research indicates that about 60 percent of overweight children ages 5 to 10 have at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor, while 25 percent have two or more.
If the trend continues, the CDC predicts the current generation of children may be the first ever to have a shorter projected lifespan than their parents.
In an effort to boost the student activity level, area schools are purchasing new playground equipment designed to burn more calories during the 30-minute recess time span.
Of course, upgrading comes with a price, said Glendon Jones, Westside Primary School principal, who recently ordered three GameTime pieces worth $55,000 from West Recreation.
The equipment that provides more effective physical activity goes up in price.
"One piece can be as high as $55,000," Jones said. "The least expensive items cost around $20,000."
Fundraising
Fruitland Primary parents and school officials are trying to raise $30,000 to purchase a play center for the students.
The Wicomico Early Learning Center is also collecting donations to buy "desperately needed playground equipment," said Katherine Jones, Parent Advisory Committee chairwoman.
New playgrounds continue to pop up elsewhere on the Lower Shore, but at a cost.
In spring 2006, a new playground was built adjacent to the new Ocean City Elementary School, said Barbara Witherow, spokeswoman for Worcester County Schools.
In Somerset County, Ewell School replaced its heavy wooden equipment last spring for a $46,000 play center, which included installation costs, said Principal Janet Evans.
The cost of playground equipment varies, depending on the size of the school and age of students, Witherow said. The typical price of a playground may range from $100,000 to $250,000.
Glendon Jones said the school system only covers the cost if it's part of a renovation or new school construction project.
"The schools are in charge of raising the funds," he said.
Unfortunately, grant funding for new playground equipment is lacking, Jones said.
"It's hard work fund raising, and we're fortunate to have a lot of help from the parents," he said. "Grant money is much needed."
Since playground equipment does not fall under Parent Advisory Committee guidelines, it is not allowed to cover the complete cost of the equipment, he said. However, the PTA plays a role in fundraising.
Ocean City Elementary School's PTA sponsored a fund drive for a new early childhood playground for ages 2 to 5, Witherow said.
During the month of October, the PTA at the Wicomico Learning Center spearheaded the fundraiser "Choo Choo Change" for a new train play center, said Melissa Eiler, coordinator. Each classroom set a goal to raise $100.
"There is a train that frequently runs along the back fence of the playground," Katherine Jones said. "The children to watch it pass along its tracks. We thought it fitting that they should have a train of their own."
Through fundraising, Westside Primary earned $23,000 to help purchase playground pieces.
"We're doing a Joe Corbi's Pizza fundraiser now and we're expecting to generate $8,000," Glendon Jones said.
Ewell School's PTA president led the effort to raise $8,000 for its modern playground, Evans said. The total cost was also covered by the school system, community organizations and grants, said Rodger Daugherty, director of transportation and facilities for Somerset County Public Schools.
"The problem we had with the wooden set is the carpenter bees were taking over that area," Evans said. "The kids were afraid to be out there. Plus they'd get splinters."
Need
If new equipment is needed, the school systems use a consultant to find pieces that meet all current safety codes, standards and regulations, Witherow said. Some playgrounds requires special equipment and materials.
"The flooring on Cedar Chapel's playground is a poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing used to accommodate the high number of wheelchairs utilized by students at the school," she said.
The Wicomico Learning Center chose the "Choo Choo Climber," costing about $6,000, to add onto the playground's current equipment, Eiler said.
"(It's) a climber with a slide that several students can play on and a race car that only holds two students at a time," she said.
The train (about 21 feet by 15 feet) will allow more children to play at the same time.
Westside Primary got rid of four old playground pieces this year, Glendon Jones said.
"It was at least 35 years old or more," he said. "We removed the old monkey bars made of steel and old wooden seesaws."
These pieces were replaced with "Double Play," which includes two wiggle slides and small climbing wall, Jones said. Westside Primary is still awaiting the final addition, "Playville Acres," and is expecting the playground to be complete by the end of the year.
"It requires more physical activity climbing and sliding," he said. "Playground equipment doesn't look like it did 50 years ago. Slides are steeper than they use to be and instead of monkey bars that just allow you to swing, you can climb up a wall."
The new equipment is also safer for the students, Jones said.
"Most of the old equipment is made of metal or steel," he said. "This is plastic and we have wood chips on the ground."
Evans said Ewell School's playground has a layer of old recycled tires.
"It makes a soft surface for kids to fall on," she said.
Fruitland Primary has scheduled a Longaberger Basket Bingo in January for the playground fund, Morris said.
But for now, students prove resilient to the 1970s-style equipment.
Jada Outlaw, 9 and Elizabeth Forrer, 6, will always find ways to keep themselves entertained.
"We run around and chase each other," Outlaw said.
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