Brookside welcomes new playground
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

SOPHIA FISCHER/Acorn Newspapers LET'S PLAY- Students at Brookside Elementary School are introduced to the new playground equipment recently installed on campus in a ceremony last week.

Brookside Elementary School in Oak Park used a $52,000 gift from the Parent Teacher Association to help build a new upper grade playground that was unveiled on Wed., March 7 during a ribbon cutting ceremony.

"It's a lot better than what was there before," said Lucas Flamer, 8. "I like the big slide and the monkey bars the best."

Lucas and his third-grade classmates joined the entire student body at the ceremony. Principal Debra Burgher thanked the PTA, and Oak Park Unified School District Board President Marie Panec watched as PTA President Vicki Leung cut the red ribbon tied around the equipment.

The playground features three separate multiuse pieces of equipment including a rockclimbing wall, swings, ladders and monkey bars. During school hours it is used at recess and lunch by third-, fourth- and fifth-graders. The PTA installed another playground last year for younger students.

To accommodate the new facility, the existing outdated and aging metal swings and bars were removed and the sand lot expanded.

"The playground we replaced was small and did not have much for the kids to do. The new one is twice the size," said Leung.

Adding to the cost was the installation of a drainage system to end flooding caused by rain and sprinklers. The excess water often prevented kids from entering the playground for as long as four days at a time, according to Leung.

"We lovingly called it Lake Brookside," she said.

Leung credited PTA board member Grace Mayemura with overseeing the project. Mayemura also chaired the replacement of the lower grade playground.

"Grace really did all of the leg work to get the project going," Leung said. "Accolades should go to her."

Leung also expressed appreciation to Brookside parents.

"A big thanks should go out to all the parents who support the PTA and give generously because that's what allows us to have the funds to bring great things to Brookside," Leung said.

The PTA is researching the cost of updating or replacing the school's kindergarten playground to bring it up to code. With the H6 school facilities bond measure having failed at the polls in November, the district does not have the funds for new play equipment, according to Leung.

"The play structure there is so old, it no longer meets current safety standards for playgrounds, as they are updated often," Leung said.

Demolition and sand pit expansion was completed by Brookside parent Greg Hillman of Lightning Bros. Construction in Oxnard. Premium Construction of Newbury Park installed the equipment made by Miracle Playground, the same playground provider used by the other two Oak Park elementary schools, Red Oak and Oak Hills, according to Mayemura.