The New Playground Opens!

September 29, 2019

The New Pond Cove Playground Is Open for Play!

On Saturday, September 28th, over 200 Pond Cove students, families, members of the town council, school board, and state government, school staff, community members, and local business owners gathered to celebrate the completion of the new Pond Cove playground and outdoor classroom. In response to children’s chants of “Cut that ribbon!” school nurse Erin Taylor did just that, and Pond Cove students exuberantly stormed the space for the first time.

Lauren Glennon, Pond Cove Playground Committee board member, spoke movingly about the many people who said, “yes” to enable the school’s dreams for a new playground to be realized. The playground committee formed in response to the school system’s request for fundraising assistance in late 2018. In just nine months the committee garnered support from the town, local businesses and foundations, and numerous individuals and families to raise over $300,000 in funds and in-kind donations.

The nature-based, adventure-style playground was designed by licensed landscape architect Sashie Misner and constructed by Three Stone Landscape. The outdoor learning area, “Natureland,” funded by the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation, will enhance classroom studies of weather, plants, and wildlife, as well as simply allow students to be immersed in the sensory experience of learning outdoors.

In addition to being used by the Pond Cove students during school hours, the new space serves as a valuable town-center resource for the entire community on afternoons, weekends, and school breaks.

The Pond Cove Playground Committee recently received notice of its permanent 501(c)(3) status, making all donations tax deductible. They will continue to fundraise for the playground maintenance fund to ensure the success of the space for years to come.

The committee wishes to thank its many supporters and enthusiastically says, “See you on the playground!”