Out with the old playground, in with the new one.

After four years of planning and fundraising, the aging playground equipment at Westgate Elementary was removed Saturday and installation work will begin soon on the new Westgate Elementary Playground and Community Park project.

The project not only will provide new play areas for the students at the school, but will also serve as a neighborhood park for the community during non-school hours.  Play equipment will be replaced on both the primary and intermediate playgrounds, and the primary play equipment will be moved away from its current location along the fence, which borders a busy street. Other upgrades include moving the tetherball and basketball equipment, repaving portions of the playground, painting and planting new shrubbery and trees.

The Westgate Parent Staff Organization (PSO) has spearheaded the playground replacement effort through a variety of fund-raising activities. The project has also received support from the community.  Since the renovated playground/park will fill the need for a neighborhood park in the Westgate community, the City of Edmonds is providing $25,000 in matching funds for the effort.  In addition, Westgate will be receiving $104,500 (55 percent matching funds) from the Edmonds School District Capital Partnership program.

Thanks to Westgate parents Priya and Todd Cloutier for providing the photo and playground update.