To the children’s delight, the new playground equipment is being installed at Pleasant Valley Elementary and Intermediate schools.

The intermediate school is getting one large playground, which is being worked on right now, with the elementary school getting two smaller playgrounds. One is finished and the other is almost done.

Both schools will have equipment in the playgrounds that will make it easier for children with disabilities to play with their classmates.

“We are thrilled to have this new equipment. It’s awesome,” said PVES Assistant Principal Sarah Adams. “It’s a little different from what we had, but I’m just glad the kids have access to it.”

One example of the specialized equipment is a full seat swing, instead of just the flexible synthetic belt seat.

The total cost of the playground replacement project is $767,978.48. The equipment was purchased from Recreation Resource USA, who is also doing the professional installation.

According to the school board agenda from their meeting on Sept. 7, the equipment was purchased with funding from ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund). The fees and professional installation costs were covered by the school district’s capital reserve.

Kindergarten teacher Rheannon Parker said her students were so excited to watch the playground being installed from their classroom. Now that it is finished; they love it even more.

“They are really loving it,” she said. “They especially love this rock climbing wall, the slides and the bell. They love the bell.”

The intermediate school students are still watching their playground get installed, but it’s nearing completion.

Third grader Logan Breslove said, “Every time I go out to recess, I always look.”

He plans to play on the “twisty” slides when it is done.

“I like to play on the twisty slide, too,” said Millie Hageman, who is also in third grade.

For his favorite part, third grader Matthew Adams said, “probably just the playground in general.”

PVES Principal Sabrina Albright thinks it is exciting to be getting a new playground.

“It doesn’t happen very often where students get to experience a brand-new playground,” she said. “I think it’s an exciting moment for them that they’ll remember for always.”