Barnett celebrates new school playground

Barnett Elementary School celebrated its long-awaited new playground — a project spearheaded by parent Denise Drum — with a ribbon-cutting and ice cream social.

Schoolchildren tried out the new playground structure with its innovative components for climbing, swinging and sliding three days before the social, however, as soon as Barnett Principal Linda Marthis and Drum performed the official ribbon-cutting on June 3, youngsters and parents streamed toward the school’s latest amenity.

It took just over four years and lots of fundraising for the playground to become a reality, according to Drum and Marthis.

The approximately $136,000 project in the lower level playground replaced one that was 24 years old, did not meet current safety regulations, and was outdated, according to Drum.

“And it was not really something that was engaging to the children,” she said.

Fundraising included a tile painting project, with tiles purchased by Barnett families, Ramona Unified School District staff and the community, that garnered $3,800.

Also contributing was the Palomar Health Community Action Council with a $1,000 grant, viewing playground activities as a way to reduce obesity in youths.

In November 2013, Ramona Community Planning Group approved the project for its Park Lands Dedication Ordinance priority list, earmarking $92,000 of PLDO funds for it. The county Board of Supervisors released those funds in March. Because the playground is open as a recreational park to the community when school is not in session, it could qualify for PLDO funds, explained Drum.

The balance was funded by the Ramona school district.

A lot of thought went into the layout of the playground, designed by GameTime and manufactured by Great Western Parks and Recreation.

Drum said a panel was added that offers five components geared for special education students. The playground, which sits on a new Poured in Place Rubber surface, was designed so children will not bottleneck in one area and can move from one element to another.

The school mom is not done yet, however. Drum said she would like to add benches and a shade structure.

“So I’m looking for grant opportunities and sponsorships,” she said.

For Drum, being involved in the project was a natural progression. For years, she managed charitable giving for a department store. Now, she finds it fun to be on the other side.

“It was just a natural thing to be writing grants,” she said.

After putting so many years and so much work into the new playground, Drum said when she saw it finally open for use, “I sat there and cried, watching so many kids playing on it.”