CAL students celebrate installation of new playground

Recess at CAL is now a little more fun – and safer – for students.

The school recently celebrated the installation of new equipment and pea gravel on the playground, which replaced the wooden equipment and wood chips, respectively.

Rotting railroad ties surrounding the playground were also replaced with a brick retaining wall.

The new equipment includes a merry-go-round, a climbing feature and outdoor musical instruments.

Principal Abby Meyer said the new equipment not only provides added excitement to outdoor time, but also adds a layer of safety. She said the wooden equipment structure had gotten unsafe for students, so the new equipment is more stable and largely eliminates the possibility of splinters.

The pea gravel base also provides more cushion for students.

The project was completed in late summer/early fall and was partially funded by a Franklin County Foundation grant.