Ledge Street School seeks city support to move playground to back field

School officials asked the Board of Aldermen during a July 27 budget review public hearing to fund a major upgrade at Ledge Street School, telling aldermen the current playground is outdated, lacks handicap accessibility and sits too close to a busy road. Sean Smith, the school system’s plant operations director, said the total estimate for equipment, shipping and rubber surfacing is about $254,406 and that the school’s playground committee has raised $25,000 toward the work.

Michelle Mills, a teacher at Ledge Street School and the project lead, said the back field would provide a safer, more accessible play space and relieve congestion by creating two distinct recess areas. “When a piece of equipment breaks on the playground…the piece of equipment goes away,” Mills said, arguing the replacement is essential for students’ social and physical development. Tim Cummings, the city’s director of administrative services, said the city is being asked to include roughly $247,386.18 of the estimated cost in a supplemental appropriation (R-26-048) and that the appropriation could be separated for committee action if aldermen prefer.

Aldermen asked clarifying questions about funding sources, noting the estimate on the slide ($254,406) exceeded the requested appropriation and asking whether charitable gaming revenue and other sources would cover the gap. Presenters confirmed the estimate is an all-in figure that includes rubber surfacing (necessary for ADA compliance) and that installation work will be performed by school plant staff. The board did not take a final vote on the item at the hearing and asked staff to supply additional budget detail at the committee level.