St. Mark's Lutheran Church recognized for playground partnership with district early learning center
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Summary
The board recognized St. Mark's Lutheran Church for donating use of greenspace next to the district early learning center; district and church representatives described a shared‑use agreement that will let students use the playground during the school day and church members use it evenings and weekends, with installation expected before winter.
The West Aurora School District 129 Board of Education presented a "Those Who Make a Difference" award to St. Mark's Lutheran Church on Oct. 6 for a neighborhood partnership to expand playground space adjacent to the district's early learning center.
Associate Superintendent Dr. Angie Smith described how the district had sought additional green space for three‑ and four‑year‑old children and reached out to St. Mark's to propose a shared‑use arrangement. "We had some very expensive and very difficult options... I went over and met with a couple of the representatives of the church and said, what would you think if we were willing to invest in the playground in exchange for the ability to use it during the school day, and then you would have the playground for the weekends and nights and things like that?" Smith said. She added the arrangement is a "win‑win" that will benefit students and serve the church and community.
Pastor Krista Zimmerman and members of St. Mark's thanked the district and noted congregational volunteers who supported the effort. The district and church representatives said they hope to have the playground installed before winter. The board paused for a photo and publicly thanked the church members for their contribution to students and families.