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Website

http://www.successpreparatory.org/

So you’re going to improve your local playground. What’s your great idea?

We want to retrofit our playground so we can create a safer, larger, and more enjoyable playspace. We have a playground that allows children to play, however only about 70% of the playspace is usable. One of the tall towers in our playspace is missing its’ circus ladder. Currently, a small chain is blocking off this area but without the ladder, students from the far end of the playground cannot climb onto the playground and there is a risk that smaller students could fall off the tower platform. We want to install a flexible circus ladder that will improve safety and expand the possibilities of play and fun on our playground.

Which local nonprofit, school, or park district will you work with, and how will you work with them to choose a playground for the project?

Success Preparatory Academy (SPA) is a non-profit charter elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana. We want to retrofit our own playground.

How will you involve local volunteers in the playground project?

We will involve local volunteers in installing the chain ladder through mobilizing our families, local school supporters, and school faculty.

Tell us about the kids that will be using the playground.

SPA’s students come from minority (African American, Latino) backgrounds in Orleans Parish with 97% of students receiving free or reduced price lunch. Over 300 students ranging from Kindergarten through 4th grade use the playground. Our school is located in the zip code 70112 and includes students from this immediate area. A recent study reported that residents of 70112 have some of the worst health outcomes, including the highest rates of cardiovascular and diabetes mortality in Orleans Parish.

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