Jessica Jensen, PTA member and fun run coordinator, said parents were made aware of the need for a new playground at Legacy Elementary due to its age, equipment malfunction and alleged misuse by older kids who do not attend the elementary school.

“The one that we have is over 10 years old, and it is consistently breaking, and our principal just asked us to help raise money to get a new playground for these kids,” Jensen explained. “They frequently will have to restrict the kids from getting on the structure, because parts of it are broken and need a repair, so it limits the things that they can do on their recess breaks.”

While the playground’s structure is still functional, Legacy Principal Jill Hanson said they wanted to be proactive in planning to make sure future students have a safe area for recess.

“Our top priority is always the safety and well-being of our students, and we’ve noticed increasing wear and tear on several key components of the playground, especially the bridge,” Hanson told the Daily Herald in an email.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

The principal said the playground’s bridge has had multiple repairs but it’s getting to a point where it may no longer be sustainable.

“We see signs that parts of the structure are becoming less reliable. To ensure that our students continue having a safe, engaging place to play, we must proactively prepare for a full replacement before safety becomes a concern,” Hanson said.

The current goal is $20,000 that will be dedicated to an initial round of funding for the playground. Hanson says it likely will take around $100,000 before any work actually begins on building a new playground.

Jensen said the PTA holds several fundraisers during a school year, but this particular effort is its largest endeavor.

“In the past, our PTA fundraisers haven’t raised quite as much money. And so because of that, it’s left us in a way where we can’t really give back to the school in a way that was super useful. And this is just the most-needed thing on the school’s list at this time that our principal had identified with this playground,” Jensen said.

On Sept. 12, the Legacy Elementary PTA held its Legacy Lion Fun Run where students were able to receive pledges on their behalf.

Students completed laps during the fun run and earned prizes based on their donations raised, collecting donations through a platform called MyBooster.com.

Around $16,000 was raised before the fun run. Jensen said those interested can still make a donation for the first phase of the playground fund through Friday.

“Most of the donations right now are coming from parents. We’d love to see more community involvement in donating to our cause,” Jensen said.

Hanson said there isn’t a definite timeline on when work would begin on the playground. Ideally, the goal is to have everything in place in the next few years, but it will depend on how long it takes to raise the needed funding, which makes partnering with the PTA so vital to the project.

“The PTA recognizes the value a safe, fun and functional playground brings to our students,” Hanson said. “It’s a central part of their day, providing them with opportunities to socialize, play and release energy. By starting the fundraising efforts now, they are helping ensure that we can replace the equipment without delays when it’s time, keeping our playground safe and enjoyable for all.”

Parents and community members interested in getting involved can visit legacy.alpineschools.org/pta.