Photo, from left, of Ted Mountain, SEI Design Group, Scott Simon, Alleghany Services, Pembroke School District Superintendent Matthew Calderon, Pembroke Primary School Principal Patty Zika, Jim Green, Director of Facilities, Playground Project Coordinator Allison Thomson and Dan Robertson of Campus Construction. Photo by Kara Richenberg
The Pembroke Primary School community gathered Friday to celebrate the grand opening of a new playground, a project two years in the making.
Students found it hard to contain their excitement as they anxiously waited for the big moment to take place at the entrance to the playground.
“Cut the ribbon, cut the ribbon,” they yelled out in unison while some also exclaimed that “this playground is awesome!”
Superintendent Matthew Calderon began the ceremony by reflecting on the legacy of the old playground, which was built 30 years ago with the help of the current students' parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. He also noted the assistance given to the district for the upgraded design of what they celebrated this week.
“Special thanks to everyone that helped us with the playground, especially Play By Design’s Lee Archen, SEI Design, Alleghany Services, Campus Construction," he said. "And you know you need to give it up for our Director of Facilities Jim Green and Principal (Patty) Zika."
Zika shared that the journey to the new playground began two years ago when current third graders were in first grade. Each student wrote a persuasive essay convincing her for a new playground, expressing concerns about broken equipment and safety hazards.
The students had many ideas for the new playground, and many of their suggestions were taken into consideration.
The community build took place over two weeks at the end of August, with Alleghany Services handling grading, laying stone, and mulching. Despite having only 72 volunteers, those who participated contributed significant hours to ensure the playground was completed on time.
Among the dedicated volunteers was Gordon Crosby, a retired optical technician who also helped build the previous playground. Crosby logged nearly 60 hours during the two-week project.
The new playground features not only accessible swings and bars but also sensory areas, a spinning swing, animal tracking stations, and musical components. Zika emphasized that the playground will be open to the community outside of school hours from dawn to dusk.
“Come and enjoy it, and please take care of it,” Zika said.
Looking ahead, they are planning on bringing the refurbished murals from the old playground back and installing a picnic area on the side.
Facilities Director Jim Green praised the volunteers and donors who made the project possible.
“My staff did a great job adapting to ensure we finished on time and that the schools were ready for the kids’ return,” Green said.
Out with the old: one of several pieces from the former Pembroke Primary School playground that is now up for auction. Photo from Bontrager Auction site.
Although the Pembroke community had to say goodbye to a decades-old tradition of having the wooden primary school playground available for hundreds of youngsters to use, the district is beginning anew with a community build that will hopefully draw many hands to help build a new, more inclusive playground with 2023 capital project funds, Superintendent Matthew Calderon says.
“We are thankful for those who are stepping up to volunteer to help us build a safer playground for our children to enjoy for the next 30 years, with greater accessibility for students with special needs,” Calderon said to The Batavian. “Certainly, the wooden playground built in the early 1990s holds a special place in our hearts and served us well. Unfortunately, it became too hazardous to maintain, and we are excited about the opportunity the community has to collaborate once again to benefit our children and others from surrounding areas.”
School officials have scheduled Aug. 20 to 31 for the “community build,” a time when folks from various backgrounds and skill sets will come together to lend a hand and help put together the design of this modern play set to serve children of all needs. It’s to serve as a “cornerstone for the school and the neighborhood, with a similar large footprint and local form theme and touches of the iconic Pembroke dragon flare, officials said.
Benefits of a Community Build Playground
Cost Savings: By leveraging volunteer labor and donated materials, the overall cost of the playground can be reduced, allowing more funds to be allocated to high-quality equipment and innovative play elements for the kids.
Community Pride: Bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to work on a common goal enhances community bonds and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
Enhanced Design: Each playground is tailored to reflect the local community's cultural, historical, and aesthetic values, resulting in a unique and meaningful space for children.
Safety and Inclusivity: The new playground will comply with ASTM International and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards, as well as ADA accessibility guidelines, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all children.
“We are hoping to recruit 25 volunteers each day, with at least half who know how to use power tools, and we need people to lend tools as well. All tools will be kept secure when not in use, and we guarantee to return all tools in the same condition or to replace them. Those interested in helping should complete the survey,” Calderon said. “We certainly need more help. I ask everyone reading this to consider volunteering at least one day between August 20-31. Our director of facilities, primary school principal and I are collaborating with a number of community members who agreed to lead various committees, and one of us will contact volunteers with more information after completing the survey.
If some want to help but cannot use power tools, they can participate by helping to serve lunch each day, and they can make note of that in the comment section of the survey.”
Volunteers will help assemble the playground under the direction of experts from Play By Design. Morning and afternoon shifts will be scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lunch served daily from 12 to 12:30 p.m.
One of two concepts for the new playground to be built at Pembroke Primary School. Submitted image
The playground is Phase 1 of the district’s larger capital project that’s already been approved by voters. Work is to include several enhancements and upgrades to the junior/senior high school, including new house lighting and theater lighting, renovating the pool and constructing additional spectator seating, regrading the baseball field and installing proper drainage, repaving the teacher parking lot and replacing the public address and phone system.
There’s also a gym expansion on tap, similar upgrades at the intermediate school, and the creation of a single point of entrance in the main lobby of the primary school, in addition to an Americans with Disabilities Act ramp, blue light system, new masonry, roof ladders and the upgraded playground.
This project was designed and will be led by Play By Design, a renowned playground design firm. For more information on Play By Design, visit the company's website.
Even though this is a brand new design, Calderon said it will honor the past with a “look and feel like the original wooden playground.”
“And we are keeping and restoring a number of elements from the original playground. For instance, the new playground will be constructed using the existing border and fencing, including all of the farm animals that were created and painted by students and community members. We are keeping the original swing set and restoring and incorporating the large community panel that depicts our local landmarks,” he said. “The new playground elements are made of more durable material than wood that is designed to look like wood. In addition to wood chips for the surface, there will be portions made of materials for ADA accessibility.”
Calderon plans to have the playground ready for action by mid-September. District officials are finalizing the details for a ribbon-cutting or some type of opening celebration, “and that certainly will be important,” he said.
On the other end of this project are those pieces from the original playground, now put up for auction through Bontrager Real Estate and Auction Services. Anyone interested can go online and place a bid on your favorite piece(s). An open house will be from 12 to 1 p.m. Monday at 2486 Main St., East Pembroke, NY 14056. The auction will close Tuesday at 6 p.m., and items can be picked up between noon and 3 p.m. Aug. 8 or 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9. For more information on the auction, visit the online auction site.
“Community members who helped build the original playground or who have fond memories of playing on it have the opportunity to purchase parts of it, and we are not doing an auction to make money,” Calderon said. “I don't expect there will be significant revenue from the auction, but I do hope community members find good uses for the parts we could salvage.”
Designs for Phase 2 of the project are currently at the New York State Education Department for approval, and “we hope to start that phase after the winter sports season,” he said.
The 2023 capital project for $37,530,000 has already been approved by district voters, and includes two propositions: Proposition 1 (Main Project) for $35,995,000 and Proposition 2 (High school entry plaza) for $1,535,000
Project completion for all of the work is anticipated in 2027.
Pembroke Central Schools is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting community-driven project to upgrade the Primary School playground.
Following the successful passing of Proposition 1 in the 2023 Capital Project vote, the community will come together once again to build a new, modern playground that will serve as a cornerstone for the school and the neighborhood. The updated playground will occupy the same large footprint and incorporate the local and farm theme with touches of Pembroke Dragon flare.
Great care is being taken to restore and incorporate the original wooden mural that showcased local landmarks. It is a priority the playground reflects the unique character and pride of our community.
This project was designed and will be led by Play By Design, a renowned playground design firm. For more information on Play By Design, visit their website at https://pbdplaygrounds.com.
History and Background The current Primary School playground, designed in 1993 and installed in 1995 as a community build project led by Leathers Playgrounds and Associates, has been a beloved fixture for nearly three decades.
Over the years, it has provided countless hours of enjoyment and physical activity for our students. However, given its age and the increasing maintenance challenges, it is time for a significant upgrade to ensure safety and inclusivity for all children.
What is a Community Build? A community build involves local residents in the organization and creation of a community project. This interactive process not only results in a unique and high-quality playground, but also fosters a sense of pride and ownership among participants. The collective effort transforms the environment into a lasting symbol of community spirit.
Benefits of a Community Build Playground
Cost Savings: By leveraging volunteer labor and donated materials, the overall cost of the playground can be reduced, allowing more funds to be allocated to high-quality equipment and innovative play elements for the kids.
Community Pride: Bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to work on a common goal enhances community bonds and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
Enhanced Design: Each playground is tailored to reflect the local community's cultural, historical, and aesthetic values, resulting in a unique and meaningful space for children.
Safety and Inclusivity: The new playground will comply with ASTM International and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards, as well as ADA accessibility guidelines, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all children.
Call for Volunteers We are calling on parents, families, and community members to join us in this monumental effort. The playground build is scheduled to take place from August 20-31, following the tear-down of the existing structure between June 26 and July 26. We need volunteers with various skills and a passion for community service to fill a variety of roles, including:
General Laborers: At least 25 general laborers are needed, with some requiring power tool experience.
Leadership Roles: We are seeking coordinators for playground removal, volunteer management, tools, materials, and food.
Crew Leaders/Supervisors: Six dedicated individuals to oversee construction crews and ensure the quality of the build.
"I hear over and over that the experience of building the first playground was magical. While we can't replicate that exact moment, we aim to provide our community with another opportunity to come together to create a modern, updated playground and some amazing memories along the way," said Superintendent Calderón.
Get Involved Interested volunteers are encouraged to complete the volunteer survey by June 3. Please join us in building a playground that will provide joy and safety for our children and stand as a testament to the strength and unity of the Pembroke community.
For more information, please click and complete the volunteer survey.
When Mr. Fire comes knockin' at your door, make sure you know what to do!
That's the gist of the message Sgt. Major William Joyce, of the East Pembroke Fire Department, had for Pembroke Primary School students last week.
He and firefighters from various districts came to talk to the kids about the importance of being prepared for fire-related emergencies.
These are some of the trucks that pulled up to the school in the morning, much to the delight of the children:
Part of being prepared for a fire, according to Joyce, is developing an evacuation plan, which has to include a designated spot for the family to meet outside the home.
"And please don't pick your mom or dad's truck," Joyce said. "Mom and dad might have gone to the store or something, which means the truck could be gone."
He recommended picking a neighborhood tree or telephone pole, because "last time I checked, trees and telephone poles don't walk away."
Secondly, Joyce stressed the importance not only of getting out of a burning house, but also of staying out.
"Don't go back in for your dog or your cat or your favorite toy," he said. "You can always buy a new dog, cat or toy at the store, but there's no store I know of where your parents can get another little boy or girl."
Families should practice these and other safety measures through home fire drills, according to Joyce.
"Monday night is the best time for fire drills," he said, "because the firefighters are at the hall and we have all the equipment we need ready."
And in case one of these little ones were to get stuck in the house during a fire, Joyce stressed one very important thing they would need to remember:
"Don't be afraid of the firefighters."
He acknowledged that firefighters can look kind of scary when they come crawling into the house or room in the dark, masked, dressed in heavy gear, and breathing like Darth Vader.
Joyce explained that the masks and suits are to protect the firefighters, and that they crawl in order to avoid the fire, which is going to be "up above."
To help the kids out, the firefighters did a little demonstration in the gymnasium, with the lights off -- the kids were asked to shout out "help," as if they were trapped in a fire and needed rescue:
Some practical tips for fire prevention and safety were included in the presentation as well. Some of these were:
• Remember to empty your wastebaskets
• Keep the doors unblocked
• Change your smoke detector's battery regularly
• Don't try to put out the fire yourself; call the fire department
The assembly was followed by some hands-on activities for the kids, including tours of the buses, a look at firefighters' equipment, and trying on firemen's uniforms. These activities went on for most of the day, with classes taking turns touring the rigs:
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
On the way back to my car I got a look a the school's playground, which I thought looked pretty cool:
Volunteer firefighters from several companies turned out to Pembroke Primary School today as part of East Pembroke's annual effort to educate students on emergency preparedness.
Eleven trucks rolled up to the school first thing this morning, with all the sirens, horns and flashing lights the children could hope for.
Most of the trucks stayed at the campus throughout the school day and classes of children took turns touring the rigs.
Firefighters also provided information on emergency preparedness.
