New playground coming for Lawrence's Number Four School in Inwood

Capital improvements are coming for the Lawrence school district’s Number Four School, which educates its youngest learners from pre-k to kindergarten. A new playground will be installed to create new memories and friends.

“(It) has fallen into disrepair,” said Lawrence Superintendent Ann Pedersen,. “That’s the one that will be taken down and replaced.”

The playing site that will be overhauled at the intersection of Wanser and Harris avenues. The school has two playgrounds .

The school’s insurance company, New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal, which evaluates its facilities every year, viewed that the playground was in unusable condition and recommended an upgrade. The other play area by Harris was considered in usable and good condition.

The site was so dilapidated it was closed off during the most recent school year.

“Many sections of it have exceeded the usefulness,” Pedersen said.

However, despite having one less playground for the students, Pedersen said the school is fortunate to have enough outdoor spaces on the site for students to play and continue developing their gross motor skills, such as their upper and lower body strength, which the new playground would continue when completed.

No date for groundbreaking has begun but Pedersen said the plans are “in the process.”

The current playground has what a typical one would have: a slide, small bridge, and small ladders to climb into and out.

Based on a photo of the proposed playground, it would have similar features with the inclusion of a fire pole and a new design with modern and stable equipment, Pedersen said.

“We’re pleased to update the equipment for a brand new state-of-the-art playground for all our children,” said Murray Forman, president of Lawrence’s Board of Education . “It’ll be everything that is current for that age group that is targeted for. It’ll be beautiful.”

When asked if the construction of the school’s playground was part of the two approved $5 million capital reserve funds in May, the school’s superintendent said that grants would fund the project.

Estimated costs are from $160,000 to $260,000 and Pedersen hopes to have the playground ready by late fall.

“We’re very excited,” she said. “The building holds the district’s youngest children and I know it will be met with squeals of delight when it’s installed.”