New, accessible Templeton Elementary School playground nears completion

Over the past few weeks, structures have been rising above the fence line along Hillside Drive and Henderson Street at Templeton Elementary School. Behind the tarped fence and through the piles of construction supplies and heavy machinery, Phase 1 of a significant playground renovation is underway.

The $3.35 million project “will be the largest play structure installation of its type in the world,” said Andrew Koop, director of technology and communications for Monroe County Community School Corp. (MCCSC), offering accessibility for students with a wide range of physical capabilities. In addition, “specific play experiences were selected to provide sensory and physical development of the elementary age group.”

It is projected to be complete by the end of September 2024, Koop said.

“The new playground will be larger and more elaborate than the former utilizing the natural grade of the site, providing accessible routes throughout and include synthetic turf covering for all of the playground surfacing. Additionally, new ornamental fencing and masonry wall screening will be provided around the perimeter of the Templeton Elementary School site,” according to June correspondence between project manager CSO Architects of Indianapolis and MCCSC.

Phase 1 includes “new playground equipment, surfacing and experiences," Koop said. "Accessible paths are being provided. Outdoor learning areas are being created, and perimeter safety is being improved (which will) allow teachers to more easily supervise students. The entire playground is accessible to allow children of all abilities to be included in all aspects of play.”

Koop mentioned the playground is not just for Templeton students. Once Phase 1 is complete, the community is welcome and encouraged to use the playground on weekdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and on weekends during daylight hours.

What Templeton's new playground will include

Plans call for carousels, slides, climbing ropes and a climbing wall, swings, a tower and sensory dome on a synthetic turf play area. The plan includes new landscaping with a variety of trees, bushes and shrubs, grasses and groundcovers.

Koop emphasized, “The new playground will provide and expand available play experiences for Templeton students and MCCSC community.” He said the “large investment in the Templeton community and their students” will “instill a sense of pride.”

Planning for the project began in early 2022 when MCCSC contracted with Bledsoe Riggert Cooper James (BRCJ) Civil Engineering to survey the Templeton Elementary site.

The following year, at an Aug. 22 MCCSC School Board meeting, Phase 1 of the Templeton Elementary Playground project was unanimously approved by the board with CSO Architects of Indianapolis charged with managing the project and design.

A sealed bid process was initiated in late 2023 for selection of a construction contractor and, in early 2024, MCCSC made its decision. Bloomington-based Strauser Construction Inc. was awarded the contract, which began construction on the first phase in March.

Planning documents indicate the playground renovation is a dual-phase project, with “proposed future phases of work for outdoor picnic areas, athletic fields, indoor playground structures, etc.” Koop said the second phase has not begun and he had no information about when it would begin.

The project is being funded by 2023/2024 General Obligation (G.O.) bonds, a type of municipal bond often used to fund school facilities. G.O. bonds are used for non-revenue-generating projects that are important to the local area and are backed by the issuing jurisdiction’s credit and taxing power. These bonds are repaid using general funds, which are typically collected from property taxes.

Koop said he has “no doubt that the kids will be thrilled when they return … and see the completed playground.”

Feedback to the playground project

When asked about general feedback from the community regarding the project, Koop said, “from the initial announcement, there was palpable excitement about the future playground.” He elaborated, “As construction began, this excitement only grew with many expressing their anticipation and curiosity about what the final playground would look like.”

He noted, “Throughout the summer, I’ve received numerous comments from community members who are excited about the new equipment being installed.”

Amy Beck, a Templeton Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) officer, has sent three children to Templeton, which inspired her to “want to take more of a hands-on role in terms of supporting (Templeton) students, staff and faculty.”

Though Beck hasn’t visited the playground personally and wasn’t involved in any of the planning, she's still hopeful about the project.

“We want all students to be able to access the resources and the school spaces, as well as everyone else. The accessibility of a playground is important because it means that everybody within the school can use it, enjoy it and get some happiness from it. That would be my hope for this playground without having seen what the new accessibility features are. It’s something that can bring all of our students together and not leave anyone on the side,” Beck said.

Beck added, “I’m excited to see the experiences that the students are going to have out on the new playground. Our playground has always been fine at Templeton, but to have something that is brand new and thoughtfully designed is really exciting. I think it will be really wonderful to see the students’ excitement to get on the playground and start exploring.”

With few details known about the specifics of the project, Beck wonders how the changes to the playground will impact Templeton’s students and families.

“I am very curious about what parents, family, guardians of the younger grades, what their perception of the playground is going to be. The two large structures that pop up and over the fence line and you can see from the road, they look very tall and geared towards our upper grades. As the mom of an incoming sixth grader, I think it’s going to be a really fun play adventure for him and his classmates, but if I had an incoming kindergartener or a first grader, I really might feel like this is going to be pretty big for them,” Beck said.

MCCSC is moving forward with a plan to merge elementary populations in Templeton and Childs elementary schools for the 2025-26 school year. As last discussed in public, the district is planning to have pre-K through second grade students attend Childs and third through sixth grade attend Templeton.

When reached for comment about the playground, Templeton principal Josh Livingston said, “We are thrilled for the students at Templeton to experience their new playground. (It will be) a vibrant space where learning and fun go hand in hand.”

A grand opening celebration for the school and community is being planned to correspond with the completion of Phase 1 of the Templeton Elementary School Playground project. More information will be available from MCCSC regarding the event.

Cricket Shelton is a student at Bloomington High School South.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: MCCSC spends $3.35 million revamping Templeton elementary playground