A little cold weather did not stop a group of Blue Ridge Elementary School pupils from christening the school's new playground equipment Thursday.
The upgraded equipment features wheelchair accessibility, and children flashed broad smiles as some with special needs played alongside their schoolmates.
The school has three special education programs for children who use wheelchairs, but administrators hope everyone in the community will take advantage of the playground.
"We wanted for all kids to have an opportunity to enjoy the playground equipment, especially special-needs kids. This was a way to include them so everybody could enjoy this," said Steven Cummings, the assistant principal.
Kindergarten teacher Lynn Carswell looked on as a group of children piled onto the Sway Fun glider.
"They have to work together, so it's a lot of cooperative play," she said.
The circular glider, which can accommodate 20 children, including some in wheelchairs, boasts curved benches and a table. The children rock back and forth, and the springs underneath put the Sway Fun in motion.
A roller slide benefits children who use cochlear implants to hear so they do not risk having their implants malfunction because of the static electricity created by plastic slides.
"All kids just want to have fun. That's the motto that we've kind of adopted," Mr. Cummings said.
A $5,000 grant from Lowe's got the fundraiser off to a good start. The school also has received local and state grants and PTO contributions for the project.
Ms. Carswell said the school has spent more than $70,000 on the playground. However, Blue Ridge is seeking additional funds to add other components, including a wheelchair-accessible seesaw, a merry-go-round and a sidewalk that can accommodate wheelchairs.
The entire project is expected to cost $97,500.
Reach Betsy Gilliland at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
