Fruitvale Elementary unveils new ADA-compliant playground on first day of school
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) -Students at Fruitvale Elementary returned to school Tuesday to find a new playground replacing equipment that had been on the grounds since 1953.
The new playground is ADA compliant and has a range of features including ramps, a carousel accessible to users of any ability, sensory panels, basket swings, updated lighting and fencing, wood chip flooring in place of rocks, and new security cameras.
Accessibility a central focus
Playground Project Manager Kari Perez said the old equipment left students with mobility challenges unable to participate.
“It had all the original metal equipment still on the playground 73 years later,” Perez said. “I also noticed that students in wheelchairs were on the outside of the playground and they weren’t able to even access the playground, let alone play on anything that was in the playground.”
Perez said inclusion was one of the primary goals of the project.
“We have a lot of students with mobility challenges and we want to make sure everyone feels included,” Perez said. “That is our main goal here at Fruitvale, that everyone feels included no matter what you look like, what your background is, it doesn’t matter.”
Safety upgrades included
Perez said the safety improvements were also a priority for the school and the surrounding community.
“Parents send their kids to school trusting us to watch over their kids and look out for them and make sure that they’re going to come home in the same condition that they left,” Perez said. “So that’s definitely a main goal not only for the school but as a community member.”
Community support made project possible
The playground was funded with support from the Colorado Health Foundation and community partners. Principal Angela Galyon said the new space sends a message to students.
“I think that really builds a sense of belonging,” Galyon said. “It lets our students know they are worthy of having up-to-date modern equipment, having the best of everything. They deserve it. Our community deserves it. And so hopefully it really sets us off to a positive start.”
The playground, located at Fruitvale Wellness Park, is also open to community members outside of school hours.