JCC College Avenue preschoolers lined up, eagerly awaiting their first turn down the brand new slide built especially for them. The slide, a gift from the JCC Early Childhood Parent Association, was revealed during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 5th.
Built right into the hillside, the slide was designed to blend in with the natural surroundings of the playground, which is nestled between a forest-like picnic area and the tennis courts. ECPA President Nori Duffee took the honorary first slide down. “The ECPA is thrilled that we could provide such a great, new piece of equipment for our preschoolers. The children really seem to be enjoying it,” said Nori.
The slide, customized by Playworld Midstates, can have more playground equipment added onto it in the future. It was important to the preschool that the slide highlighted and incorporated the natural environment. “Building right into the hillside seemed like a great use of space, too,” said Nikki Henry, Early Childhood Director. She continued, “We are so grateful to the ECPA for the new slide. It has been a huge hit!”
Each year, the ECPA completes a major project for the Early Childhood Education program. Over the past few years, the teachers and parents had been talking about adding something special to what is affectionately known by staff, students, and families as the “Big Playground.”
The slide is one of many enhancements to the preschool that the ECPA has made throughout the years. Upgrades like the new slide are made possible by generous donations collected during fundraisers the ECPA conducts throughout the year. An upcoming Texas Hold ‘Em tournament being held on November 11th is one way the ECPA raises money for new additions like the slide.
