Plans advance for new playground at Acmetonia Elementary School

Acmetonia Elementary School students are one step closer to getting a playground.

The Allegheny Valley School Board approved a contract with Play & Park Structures to build a playground at Acmetonia Elementary School at a cost not to exceed $155,086.

The proposed playground has been discussed by the board for the past couple of months. All board members were present at the meeting and voted in favor of the agreement, which is being reviewed by the district’s solicitor and the playground company.

School administrators will approve the final design of the playground. A draft image of the playground shows traditional equipment such as slides and monkey bars, as well as an “inclusive orbit” with a rubber poured-in-place surface to accommodate students with physical disabilities.

Acmetonia’s PTA will establish a fund for equipment upkeep.

The district intends to use $155,000 from its capital projects fund to cover the costs. Administrators have said the district would be able to dip into the fund for the playground while still having money for other projects.

School board member Amy Sarno, who has championed the project with the school’s PTA, thanked school administrators, staff, parents and Jay Zangrille, the district’s building and grounds supervisor.

Play & Park Structures has built other playgrounds in the region, including in Franklin Park and Richland Township.

In May, when Sarno distributed a survey on Facebook to get feedback on playground proposals, 39 people participated.

According to survey results, the top three benefits of having a playground were physical and mental health and development of social skills.