Dedham Savings Donates $5K to Boyden Elementary School's Community Playground Project

Boyden Elementary School in South Walpole has seen many changes during the past 20 years, including a major expansion and doubled enrollment, but the school's playground has not kept pace.

The Boyden playground is not only used by the elementary students, but has become a valuable community resource for the surrounding neighborhoods and families attending Little League baseball games or using the South Pool during the summer months.

The current play structure, installed in 1993, was designed for 200 students and is not accessible for children with disabilities. It was not built to accommodate the 475 students in grades K-5 that use it daily.

While no one denies the need for a new playground, the town budget cannot allocate the necessary funds.  The Boyden Parent Advisory Council (PAC) and Playground Committee have been working diligently over the past two years to raise money for a safe, modern, and accessible playground to provide children with various motor and sensory challenges, as well as socialization, opportunities.

The price tag is steep - $100,000 for equipment, ground surface material, and installation - and the timeline is aggressive, with installation of the new playground slated for Summer 2013.

A recent grant of $5,000 from Dedham Savings, and numerous fundraisers and parent donations have helped the Boyden PAC near the mid-point of its fundraising goals, but additional resources are needed to see the project through to completion.

The Playground Committee is reaching out to the community for support. Private and corporate sponsorship opportunities are available at many levels, including purchasing customized bricks or plaques, or pieces of equipment. Information can be found online at Playground4Boyden.com, or you can contact Lori Wilson at (508) 404-8493.