Unsafe playground at our local school...what do I do?

[Anonymous]

I live in Chillum and my son is only 3, but we walked to Ridgecrest Elementary this morning and the playground has several parts that are broken and super unsafe. If he were a student there, I'd start with the school administrators, but this seems like an odd contact since my son isn't enrolled? ARe there regulations re: elementary school playground safety? I've found quite a few guidelines online, but nothing seems mandatory.

[Anonymous]

You have a TODDLER. Elementary school playgrounds are designed for ages 5+

Go to a different playground or shut up.

[Anonymous]

Maybe try the PG County building services number?

https://www.pgcps.org/buildingservices/

[Anonymous]

Sadly, this is many of the schools’ playgrounds. You can contact the school board, but they’re not going to do anything about it. Your best options are to either wait for the school to be rebuilt, or contact the PTA to see if there are any efforts to replace the playground that you can support. Our local school has a very active pta, but lots of low income families. Playgrounds cost ~50k at minimum, and the school has been raising funds and writing grants for about 4 years now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have a TODDLER. Elementary school playgrounds are designed for ages 5+

Go to a different playground or shut up.

The playground is literally broken. A bridge had gallend down so its a a fall hazard, not safe for 5-12 year olds.

I am not going to shut up...I care about the children in my community, not just my child.

[Anonymous]

It's not like you are the only person who has noticed this?
If you really care, organize a fund drive and donate the proceeds to the school for the purpose of fixing the playground. Or look for and apply to grants for that purpose. You could probably join the PTA even without a child at the school because you are in the neighborhood. The fact is that lots of things needs to be fixed in lots of schools, and funds only stretch so far and need to be prioritized.

[Anonymous]

I think its crazy that PTAs are expected to pay for and fix playgrounds. They are part of the building.

[Anonymous]

You can email Pamela Boozer-Strother and write exactly what you just said above.
I noticed XXX, I wanted to bring it to your attention.
Respectfully,
XXX

My guess is that the Principal, PTA, and parents have all complained to PGCPS and nothing has been done.
Our ES had a slide break and the Principal went out and removed the hazard herself. It was a low slide so now there is just an opening where the slide was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not like you are the only person who has noticed this?
If you really care, organize a fund drive and donate the proceeds to the school for the purpose of fixing the playground. Or look for and apply to grants for that purpose. You could probably join the PTA even without a child at the school because you are in the neighborhood. The fact is that lots of things needs to be fixed in lots of schools, and funds only stretch so far and need to be prioritized.

Even without officially joining the PTA, I'm sure they would be thrilled to having a community member helping out when you can. I'm on the PTA board, and we greatly appreciate help and input from community members!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not like you are the only person who has noticed this?
If you really care, organize a fund drive and donate the proceeds to the school for the purpose of fixing the playground. Or look for and apply to grants for that purpose. You could probably join the PTA even without a child at the school because you are in the neighborhood. The fact is that lots of things needs to be fixed in lots of schools, and funds only stretch so far and need to be prioritized.

OK, I intend to. Hence why I asked "what do I do/" Thank you for the advice, I have a lot lo of experience grantwriting, and I'd be happy to help raise funds. I will explore these options, despite the fact that you seem to think I'm a complainer, I just want to help...geez.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have a TODDLER. Elementary school playgrounds are designed for ages 5+

Go to a different playground or shut up.

The playground is literally broken. A bridge had gallend down so its a a fall hazard, not safe for 5-12 year olds.

I am not going to shut up...I care about the children in my community, not just my child.

Good for you!! I think you should email the principal and maybe county services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have a TODDLER. Elementary school playgrounds are designed for ages 5+

Go to a different playground or shut up.

The playground is literally broken. A bridge had gallend down so its a a fall hazard, not safe for 5-12 year olds.

I am not going to shut up...I care about the children in my community, not just my child.

Younger kids (and older kids) never go to E.S. playgrounds??? Not true where I live or grew up. And broken parts can injure anyone. The OP wasn;t talking about the slide being too high.

[Anonymous]

I would.lwt everyone you can know OP. Sometimes those in the chain of command at a school are just ignores until someone outside the system speaks up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not like you are the only person who has noticed this?
If you really care, organize a fund drive and donate the proceeds to the school for the purpose of fixing the playground. Or look for and apply to grants for that purpose. You could probably join the PTA even without a child at the school because you are in the neighborhood. The fact is that lots of things needs to be fixed in lots of schools, and funds only stretch so far and need to be prioritized.

OK, I intend to. Hence why I asked "what do I do/" Thank you for the advice, I have a lot lo of experience grantwriting, and I'd be happy to help raise funds. I will explore these options, despite the fact that you seem to think I'm a complainer, I just want to help...geez.

Np. You are projecting. And your op says nothing about wanting to help. How would researching for mandatory guidelines 'help'? You wanted to pass the buck and complain. Playgrounds are really expensive and take a lot of effort on the part of volunteers.