New place to play at Sharon Center

SHARON — Several years ago the Sharon Center School (SCS) PTO and school officials realized the existing wood playground equipment had to be replaced. Made of pressure-treated wood, it was splintering and infested with wood-boring bees.The PTO undertook responsibility for raising funds for a new $65,000 playground. Through community support, fundraisers and several grants, the PTO accumulated $35,000. At that point, knowing the old equipment was no longer safe for students, the PTO decided to split the project into two phases. The $35,000 in hand was used to complete Phase One.Former PTO President Marilyn Yerks said the old playscape has been removed and replaced with a three- bay swing set and a ground covering of mulch. One of the bays has a five-point harness swing for children with disabilities. The playscape has two slides, rope- and rock-climbing apparatus, with enough space to accommodate many children at one time. Natural colors were used, to help the new equipment integrate visually into the landscape. The new playscape is located below the old swing set, near the upper basketball court.“I’ve had a ton of emails from parents who are thrilled with the new playground,” Yerks reported.SCS Principal Karen Manning said, “It’s exciting to see so many children enjoying the new, safe playscape.”The playground is open to area children who do not attend the school, including children who are homeschooled or attend area private schools.“We also have children who are here only on weekends and in the summer,” Yerks said. The second and final phase of the new playground will be completed when the remaining $30,000 is raised. Toward that goal, the Board of Selectmen requested a $29,000 STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grant from the state. The PTO currently has about $1,000 in the bank from a Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation grant. When asked what will happen if the STEAP request is not approved, PTO President Sarah Coon said, “Even if we don’t get the full amount, whatever we get we will be able to use to move ahead. The playground is somewhat modular so we can easily add pieces as money comes in.” “We want to add picnic tables and park benches to create a park-like setting to encourage community use of the grounds when school is not in session,” Yerks added.Coons, Manning and Yerks stressed they very much want to thank the community for supporting the new playground. The first fundraiser was a Jail-and-Bail benefit during which town residents (including Manning) were arrested, handcuffed, put in a police cruiser and taken to the “jail” (the old Twin Oaks restaurant, turned into a jail for the evening).

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