Recess just got a whole lot more exciting at Elgin/New Leipzig school with students having five new reasons to race outside when the bell rings. Installed during the second week of school, the playground has new additions including a cone spinner, merry-go-round, duo seesaw, climbing wall, and gaga pit.
According to superintendent Dr. Sherlock Hirning, the project grew out of discussions about replacing older playground equipment. The oldest unit on the east side of the playground was initially being considered for replacement after a crack in its twist slide had raised safety concerns for the students, leading to the school closing off that slide on the unit.
However, the slide turned out to be repairable. Using fiberglass, the school was able to restore it and put the equipment back into use. With the older unit saved, the school decided to take a different approach and focus on adding individual pieces that would give students more variety during recess.
“We already have three units with two to three slides on them, and there’s not much else for the students to do on them” superintendent Hirning said, “giving them a variety of things gets the kids more excited.”
Rather than investing in another large playground structure with multiple slides, the school chose individual pieces of equipment. The approach allows students to spread out instead of gathering around one large structure and provides activities that differ from those already available.
Behind the spinning, climbing, and seesawing was plenty of community support. Fundraising and grant writing began in 2023, with contributions coming from the Grant County Community
Recess just got a whole lot more exciting at Elgin/New Leipzig school with students having five new reasons to race outside when the bell rings. Installed during the second week of school, the playground has new additions including a cone spinner, merry-go-round, duo seesaw, climbing wall, and gaga pit.
According to superintendent Dr. Sherlock Hirning, the project grew out of discussions about replacing older playground equipment. The oldest unit on the east side of the playground was initially being considered for replacement after a crack in its twist slide had raised safety concerns for the students, leading to the school closing off that slide on the unit.
However, the slide turned out to be repairable. Using fiberglass, the school was able to restore it and put the equipment back into use. With the older unit saved, the school decided to take a different approach and focus on adding individual pieces that would give students more variety during recess.
“We already have three units with two to three slides on them, and there’s not much else for the students to do on them” superintendent Hirning said, “giving them a variety of things gets the kids more excited.”
Rather than investing in another large playground structure with multiple slides, the school chose individual pieces of equipment. The approach allows students to spread out instead of gathering around one large structure and provides activities that differ from those already available.
Behind the spinning, climbing, and seesawing was plenty of community support. Fundraising and grant writing began in 2023, with contributions coming from the Grant County Community Foundation, the Elgin Lions Club, private individuals, local banks, and other supporters. The school received approximately $56,000 in donations, with additional funds collected since that total was calculated.
Those donations from the community covered the entire cost of the equipment itself, leaving installation costs to be handled separately.
“We are so thankful to the community for stepping up and providing that for us,” Hirning said, “we still have people asking if they can help and if we need any more funding.”
With individual playground pieces often costing thousands of dollars, the generosity of the community made a big difference in bringing the project to life.
The new equipment was installed on Monday and Tuesday during the second week of school. Once the crew finished, however, students couldn’t immediately rush out and try everything. The concrete needed another two or three days to cure before the equipment could be used.
For the students watching the installation, those days felt like an eternity.
During installation, students were redirected to another area of the playground but could still watch the progress. Their excitement grew as they waited for the new equipment’s grand opening.
“They just kept asking, ‘When can we get on it? When can we play with it?’” Hirning explained.
Once the waiting was over, the merry-go-round, cone spinner, seesaw, and climbing wall were ready for action. But the biggest surprise may have been the gaga pit.
Dr. Hirning initially questioned how much interest students would have in the gaga pit. However, once students discovered it, they were eager to put it to use. The enthusiasm was so high that the school had to establish rules about how many students could play at once and how long each group could stay before letting the next group have a turn.
It turns out the gaga pit was a bigger hit than expected!
“I’m glad to know it was the right choice, but I would have never thought about that,” said Hirning.
The excitement hasn't completely faded either.
“Every once in a while, somebody will say, ‘I was told again today to tell you, ‘Thank you for the equipment’’”.
Although the new equipment has already brought excitement to recess, the school has additional plans for the playground. Hirning said the school may be looking at adding a couple more individual pieces of equipment in the future, depending on funding and other needs.
Before expanding further, the school must also address the several existing issues on the playground. The perimeter of the playground is looking at repairs because the barrier is shifting outward, allowing the pea gravel to escape the fenced area. The school will need to update the barrier to keep the gravel contained.
The school is also considering changes to the sandbox area, where students use the sand diggers. E/NL may relocate the area and use the space for additional equipment.
The cost of future improvements remains uncertain. According to Hirning, individual playground pieces typically start at $10,000 and equipment that offers considerable opportunities for playing can be difficult to find for less than $20,000.
“We aren’t finished by any means, Hirning said.
For now, the students at E/NL have plenty to keep them busy. Whether they’re spinning in circles, balancing on the seesaw tackling the climbing wall, or battling for a spot in the gaga pit, there’s something new for everyone to enjoy.
And if the questions, excitement, and eager waiting during installation are any indication, these playground additions have already earned their place as students’ favorite part of the school day.
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