Playground Survey

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Below is a copy of the Highland Park Elementary survey, including a list of pros and cons for a phased and whole playground purchase. The survey will close at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024. Survey results and next steps will be shared with Highland Park Elementary families by email (through the Parent Portal) and on the school website.

 

Survey Question Please indicate if your household prefers a PHASED or WHOLE approach to playground replacement: PHASED (purchasing/replacing one item at a time as funds are raised) WHOLE (purchasing/replacing the whole playground once all funds are raised)   Take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7VNJJPG

 

Survey Purpose

The purpose of this survey is to give every Highland Park Elementary family an opportunity to clearly state their household’s preference on the progression of the playground project.

Specifically, you will be asked whether you support a PHASED implementation of playground improvements (purchasing one item at a time as funds are raised), or if you would prefer to wait until the all the funds are raised before the WHOLE playground is replaced.

Background Information

Before voting, consider the pros and cons of both approaches, as noted below.

 

PHASED APPROACH

Pros:

1. Immediate Benefits: Current Highland Park Elementary students get to enjoy new playground elements as they are installed.
2. Ongoing Engagement: Visible progress can help maintain community interest and ongoing fundraising momentum.
3. Flexibility: The school can adjust plans for future phases based on changing needs and feedback on earlier installations.
4. Grant Eligibility: Demonstrates active progress, which might be required for certain grants and additional funding.

Cons:

1. Higher Overall Cost: Incremental purchasing and construction could be more expensive due to repeated setups and installation fees.
2. Design Inconsistency: There is a risk of design discontinuity if earlier installed elements become outdated or are no longer available.
3. Operational Disruption: Frequent construction phases may disrupt school activities and access to play areas.
4. Maintenance Overlap: Maintenance costs may start accruing for initial elements while fundraising and construction are still ongoing.

 

WHOLE APPROACH

Pros:

1. Cohesive Design: Ensures all playground elements are from the same series, providing a consistent look and user experience.
2. Cost Efficiency: Potential for cost savings through bulk purchasing and a single installation process.
3. Singular Construction Effort: Minimizes disruption by completing construction in one effort rather than in multiple phases.
4. Immediate Full Use: Upon completion, the entire playground is available for all students, offering a wide variety of activities.

Cons:

1. Delayed Gratification: It may take several years before any new playground elements are available for children to enjoy. The time to raise necessary funds can range from 2 to 10 years.
2. Fundraising Challenges: A larger sum may seem daunting, potentially discouraging donors and prolonging fundraising efforts.
3. Risk of Inflation: Costs may increase due to inflation, potentially requiring even greater funds than initially projected.
4. Potential Loss of Momentum: With a long-term goal, it’s possible to lose community interest and momentum in fundraising.

 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Playground funding does not take away from regular PAC fundraising.
• School community input on design choices will be actively sought regardless of whether a phased or a whole approach is selected.
• All items in the playground, whether purchased individually or at the same time, will meet Canadian Standards Association (CSA) requirements for safety and accessibility.
• The $20K+ currently collected was fundraised over the course of 3 months.
• Fundraising will also encompass grant applications, leveraging various other funding opportunities.

 

For additional background, please review our March 1, 2024, Community Update: Playground Accessibility Project.