LANCE GAITHER

lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

Hogsett Primary School is having a fundraiser for improvements to the school’s playground. Upgrades will include handicap-accessible equipment, such as swings and merry-go-rounds designed for use by students with walkers or wheelchairs, a sensory museum and improved water drainage.

“The idea behind the playground is that any of our students no matter their mobility level are able to access the components of the playground,” said Hogsett Principal Suzanne Farmer. “We are working with a non-profit organization called Kendyl and Friends, and they are working in partnership with Miracle Playgrounds. They have listened to what our needs are, and they have designed a playgrounds to meet those needs.”

Farmer explained that the playground will need a special flooring that is soft enough to be safe for falls, but sturdy enough to support a wheelchair or walker. Drainage will need to be improved to prevent water from pooling on walkways around the playground and to ensure the flooring does not retain moisture and buckle,

Further improvements to the playground will include the installation of sunshades around the playground and a sensory museum.

“We have several students who will benefit from having a sensory museum,” Farmer said. “Students who may have the need for calming strategies or to experience different sensory elements can have that as part of their playground experience or something they can do if they need a break or calm down time they can have that outside rather than in our sensory room. It will have things students can touch to make sounds like chimes. There will be things with different textures or that shimmer in the light. We know it is going to be popular.”

The playground will be accessible by all community members. A sidewalk will be built from the school’s parking lot to the playground.

“This will be the first playground of its kind in Danville.” Farmer said. “It has been a long process to get everything in place, it’s hard to believe that it’s finally here and we can get started on it. It’s going to be huge benefit to the school. The playground will be here for decades, it’s really incredible to think about the future experiences of not just our students but the entire community. I’m so thankful for the support from Kendall and Friends and the support from the community who have started to rally behind this project.”

The total cost of the project will be $298,618.

A donation to the project can be made in the following ways:

By donation to Hogsett Primary Campus on PayPal or Venmo

A donation can be made to the Kendyl and Friends Foundation All-Inclusive Playground-Hogsett Primary Campus! fundraiser on www.bggives.org

Mailing donations to Kendyl and Fiends Foundation, Inc P.O. Box 298 Burgin, KY 40310 MEMO: Hogsett Primary Campus

Donations can also be mailed or delivered in person directly to the school.