OSHKOSH, WI – (WISS & WGBW) – It took 18 months to complete. It required the support of over 20 area businesses, organizations, and individual donors. The newly renovated playground and outdoor learning space opens at Read Elementary.

“Come have a picnic out front. Use the space. Come and play. We want it to be a destination spot for people to enjoy. The funding all came from the community. This is for the community, not just for our school family but beyond.” said Emily Eisenschink, Principal of Read Elementary. “It’s really designed to bring people together and to give that sense of belonging.”

Children play on the fire station themed equipment at Read Elementary. The community-funded playground is now open on Algoma Boulevard in Oshkosh. Photo: submitted by Oshkosh Area School District.

A grand opening celebration last night showed the community the results of the community-led fundraising effort. Read Elementary students, families, and the neighborhood can now use an engaging environment to play, learn, and grow.

Highlights of the playground include a fire station-themed playground, swings, and a ninja obstacle course. The space also has a book walk, a performance stage, an outdoor classroom, community gardens, and a little free library.

Little free library at Read Elementary on Algoma Boulevard in Oshkosh. Photo: submitted by Oshkosh Area School District.

“One of the most important things for us is that the playground be vibrant and fun, but most importantly, inclusive and be accessible for all, and have a variety of interests,” Eisenschink said. “We have a really active area, the firetruck-themed playground. We want them to imagine themselves in a career in firefighting. Seeing themselves as heroes and rescuers. The kids love the swings. But we also have a quieter side of the property…where we have an outdoor classroom. There’s a story walk, a book walk where you can stop at each station and read a few pages of a book. So you get to walk around in the fresh air and enjoy some children’s literature.”

One of the most recently unveiled playground projects is a vibrant new mural painted on the school’s exterior walls by students and staff, under the guidance of Appleton artist and UW Oshkosh graduate, Neo Medina. The mural project was supported by ArtsCore – a partnership with the Paine Art Center and Gardens, UW Oshkosh, and the school district.

“Now it really looks as great on the outside as the work that’s going on in the inside,” Eisenschink said.

Children help to plant a section of the community garden at Read Elementary on Algoma Boulevard in Oshkosh. Photo: submitted by Oshkosh Area School District.

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