Our current Sawyer School Elementary School playground is 20+ years old.  Equipment is becoming very worn, parts made of wood are splintering and replacement parts are no longer being made.  Many play areas are not handicapped accessible and do not meet the needs of many students with autism or sensory processing issues.  A Playground Committee was formed by staff and parents to plan playground updates in 2019.  Renovation of the existing playground was found to be very costly and would not meet the needs of all students.  Therefore, the installation of new and accessible equipment is the best way to ensure a space for all students. 

What will the new playground include?

• PHASE: 1: Funds donated in 2020 - 2024 were used to update our Sunrise School (east side) playground.  The old play structures were removed, new play equipment is installed with a handicapped accessible poured in place base.  Our soccer field drainage issues were corrected and new grass was planted. The remaining blacktop was refreshed and received a fresh coat of paint for kickball, basketball and four square play areas.  Our new Sunrise School playground GRAND OPENING was Oct. 18th, 2025!  The kids are so excited to play on the new playground!

        PHASE 2:  We are continuing to fundraise to update the play structures for our 4K and Grades 5K-2nd student play areas.

• Play pieces include climbing, crawling, walking, sliding, swinging, rocking, and creative play areas for students of all needs. These playgrounds are also very inclusive allowing for more play areas for our handicapped and special needs students.

• Creative music play and scavenger hunts are included in the designs.  

• A “forever lawn” artificial turf base, made of recycled materials, will give the playground areas accessibility to all students, staff, or community members including those who move with special needs equipment such as knee rollers, crutches, and wheelchairs. This type of base replaces our current use of wood chips, which need to be replaced yearly. Wood chips also require regular use of herbicides, so moving to an artificial turf base will reduce maintenance and environmental costs.

Who Does This Benefit?

• Children with specific emotional or sensory-processing needs will benefit from the serenity areas that will include quiet space, rhythmic movement, and a sheltered space to relax and enjoy the outdoors. 

• Play areas are included which are accessible by wheelchairs and include transfer station play areas for wheelchair-bound students to play on either by moving to that play piece by themselves or with chaperone assistance. 

• Nearly 300 children are benefitting from the new playground at Sunrise School on the east side of Sturgeon Bay and nearly 300 will benefit from a new playground at Sawyer School on the west side of Sturgeon Bay when funding is secured.

• These updates will benefit the entire city population as the playgrounds will be accessible to the community during non-school hours. The Sturgeon Bay School District encourages the use of playground areas year-round by city residents and visitors.

What Will This Cost?

• As of December 2025 we raised the funds to purchase and install our Sunrise School Elementary playground that the kids are enjoying.  We are now in our final fundraising phase hoping to reach a grand additional total of $709,172 for two play areas:  Grades 1-2 and Grades 4K-5K.  (This price was reduced through plan revisions in early November 2024.)

• Dedicated funds for the remaining Sawyer School playground project are $267,500.  Remaining balance of funds to secure is $441,672.