Mayor Bill Mischler shakes hands with Kelly McHenry, PTA president, at the new playground located on Pinellas Park Elementary School grounds.
PINELLAS PARK – Pinellas Park Elementary School has a brand new playground thanks to the city and local businesses.
Kelly McHenry, Parent-Teachers Association president, said the idea for a new playground started nearly two years ago.
“We are very excited about it,” McHenry said. “The children enjoyed watching the work on the playground progress during construction.”
Mayor Bill Mischler said the playground not only will be used by the school, but as a public facility after hours.
Part of the money came from fundraising activities that went into the school’s “Dream Fund.” The city kicked in a share as did businesses such as the Wal-Mart Super Store on U.S. 19.
Mischler said it was a joint effort by the Pinellas County School Board and city.
“Families and schools benefit,” Mischler said. “This school is the first in the city to enter into a playground agreement.”
Mischler said the school board is encouraging other schools to participate in school-city projects such as playgrounds.
McHenry, meanwhile, said more equipment is on the way. It should arrive soon after the holidays.
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