Students at Missouri School for the Deaf - and anyone else who drops by - have a new option for outdoor play activities.
Thanks to the state government that runs the educational center and pays the bills, a new $180,000 playground has been installed and will be sanctioned with a ribbon cutting 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Callaway Chamber Ambassadors had planned the ribbon cutting for last Friday, but at about 5 degrees F, it was a bit cold for the event; thus, it was postponed.
Gina Roesner, director of official affairs for MSD, said the new playground in Fulton was constructed by Playcraft Systems' division in St. Louis. This international company, headquartered in Oregon, has made commercial playground equipment for more than 25 years.
"They designed and helped us build the system," Roesner said.
The school's old playground, she added, was getting on in years.
"We had it inspected and it had some deficiencies," she said. "From what other people around campus said, we're guessing it was about 20 years old."
The old playground equipment was designed for ages 5-12 years, while the new one is designed for ages 2-12, Roesner said.
"It's got an upgraded swing set, and we added a wave, which is like a new see-saw," she said, adding it holds a number of children.
The design also includes climbing equipment. The playground, for which greens, blues and browns were chosen as a color theme, is also set on child-friendly colored tile, Roesner added.
"It's projected to last 15-20 years," she said.
The new playground can be seen on the MDS's northwest corner, from Vine Street.