School's playground gets upgrade; more help welcomed

The Kingsley-Montgomery Elementary School playground in the Waterford School District was the recipient of an upgrade thanks to 45 volunteers who came out to assemble and install new equipment.

The community build that took place on Sept. 17 was part of the second phase of the school’s playground project that will cover three sections.

“We raised $30,000 over the course of last year through fund-raisers such as the Christopher Ollie-Ray Golf Scramble,” Kingsley-Montgomery Principal Sean Waymaster said. “We were able to purchase equipment for part of the second phase. We had volunteers from scouts, churches and the community help install.”

The first phase of the project was completed prior to the 2010-11 school year and consists of a small enclosed area with a soft surface, deck area and adaptive slide, as well as a hammock and a see-saw.

Waymaster said that the first part of the second phase that was completed included a “Rock-It” and a “Spica.”

“We still need to raise funds for the second half, which has a balance beam and a wheelchair swing,” Waymaster said.

He added that the third phase will consist of installing a bridge, picnic tables, rest areas and shade structures.

Waymaster said that $20,000 will need to be raised to complete the second phase, along with $23,000 for the third.

“We appreciate any help. Hopefully in the next two to three years it will be completed,” he said. “Our next golf scramble is May 19 and we just finished selling t-shirts.”

Kingsley-Montgomery first opened in 1979, and consists of center programs for special education students from across Oakland County with physical, mental and emotional impairments.

The school was renovated prior to the 2010-11 school year.

Anyone interested in donating toward the playground can contact Waymaster at Kingsley-Montgomery by calling 248-623-9660.