2023 Playground
Scheduled Fall 2023!
As of April 2023, the PTO has raised $370,000 for the new playground, thanks to our generous donors since 2018. Our financial goal of $370,000 breaks down into two main components:
$350,000: Physical playground structure + surrounding equipment (FUNDED! THANK YOU COUNTRYSIDE!)
$20,000*: Remaining Pour in Place (PIP) surface area that extends to additional accessible playground features. (FUNDED! THANK YOU COUNTRYSIDE!)
*We have several students that have live with paralysis and require extra mobility support. This PIP allows family members, caregivers and staff to easily access two additional accessible play features within the playground, creating and encouraging a more inclusive environment. Learn more about this funding need here!
Check out this fly-through of the proposed design!
We Received A Grant for $25,000!
Since it began in 2009, Hennepin County Youth Sports has awarded more than $29.1 million for facility, small equipment and playground projects, along with water safety lessons. We are so thankful to be awarded this $25,000 reimbursable grant for the playground!
Questions? We Have Answers!
Many have asked us, ‘Why do we need a new playground?’ and ‘I thought this was supposed to happen last year!’. Our quick response: This project is a culmination of issues with the current playground, several district updates and has to align with several moving parts (hence the reason it's now fall 2023). To learn more about the background of this project, visit the Playground History page.
When we started this project, the intention was to have 2 refreshed playgrounds. However what will best fit the school needs with all of the upcoming building and programming changes is just one single playground for the Countryside Elementary community to use and the district to manage for years to come.
Our goal is to create a new playground designed for kids of ALL abilities, that is not exclusive to mobility level, and that inspires healthy movement, creativity and builds relationships within the school and broader community.
The playground will be completely replaced with a new large structure with surrounding ninja warrior type elements wrapping around the large structure. Yes there will be swings, an adaptive swing, a black top area for basketball and a place for a student favorite, the gaga ball pit.
Next Steps:
We will continue to work with our playground partner and the district to implement our playground vision and design.
If you have any questions about the playground project, please email pto.countryside@gmail.com for more information.