‘Pennies for Play’ aims to build playgrounds at Marion County schools

Belleview Santos Elementary School is shown in Belleview on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.

Preschoolers at Belleview-Santos Elementary, the only Marion County public school without any fixed playground equipment, will soon have a chance to let loose some energy during the school day thanks to a new initiative called Pennies for Play.

The project is spearheaded by Dr. Sarah James, a Marion County School Board member, and will use start-up funds from the Marion County Hospital District.

“The Pennies for Play project is going to be a committee-based fundraising program that’s going to go out into the community and raise funds with myself and other committee individuals,” James explained to the school board on Feb. 1.

James said that despite digging into the Marion County Public Schools facility budget to find money for playgrounds, pressing needs such as “air-conditioning and roofs” had to be made the priority.

“However, I felt as an early childhood practitioner in the field, obviously, I own an early childhood educational institution myself, I believe, and I’m very passionate about, play,’’ she said. “I have spent the better part of the last year working on how I could, as a private citizen, work to develop a way that we can make this happen on our school campuses. I have spent some time working with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, and they’re going to be the … nonprofit organization that will hold the funds for the Pennies for Play project.”

James said she was connected to the hospital district through a donor and met with representatives to discuss the project. Hospital district staff brought to the trustees a request for a pledge of $120,000 for two playgrounds. The district’s trustees approved $60,000.

“I will continue to work with the committee to fundraise throughout our community to meet this need,” James said.

With the money from the hospital district, Belleview-Santos Elementary will get its first playground.

Ideally, preschool children should have a separate playground from older students. According to material supplied by James, out of MCPS’ 31 schools, 14 campuses do not have two playgrounds. The goal for the 2023-24 school year is to obtain funding for 15 playgrounds.

The estimated cost of a playground for pre-kindergarten students depends on whether the playground uses mulch or concrete for flooring. Playgrounds with mulch were estimated at $54,000-$67,000; those with concrete bases were $60,000 to $77,000.

The cost for a playground suitable for kindergarten-fifth grade students was estimated to range between $61,000 – $85,000 if mulch is used and $67,000 – $95,000 if concrete is used.

Shaun Duncan, a supervisor from MCPS Technical Services Department said in an email that the lifespan of the VPK and K-5 playgrounds is typically 15 – 20 years.

“When a new playground is installed the playground, shade canopy, and the pour-in-place base (if installed) come with a 10 year warranty.”

If the playground has a mulch base, the mulch must be replaced annually for $1,000 – $1,500.

After the 10-year equipment warranty has expired, Duncan said the maintenance cost will vary by location. “Each location is different due to sun exposure and how the equipment has been weathered. The typical maintenance requirement after the warranty expires is tightening any rusted or loose bolts, painting chipped paint and replacements of any plastic materials that may have dry rotted due to sun or weather.”

Meghan Magamoll, executive director for the Public Education Foundation, said donations to Pennies for Play can be made using this link: secure.qgiv.com/for/pefomc/restriction/Pennies+for+Play+Fund