Ridgewood students get new playground
BY PETE DAVIS
Students at P.S. 88Q in Ridgewood got a late back-to-school present as their old schoolyard was turned into a new, state-of-the-art playground.
School administrators and faculty joined Borough President Helen Marshall and Andrea Wenner, Executive Director of Out2Play, a non-profit group with a mission of building playgrounds at economically disadvantaged NYC public schools, at the unveiling of the new and improved playground on Wednesday, September 23.
“As a parent and former early childhood teacher, I know full well the value and need to help our children grow in mind and body,” said Marshall, who has provided more than $2 million to Out2Play since she became Borough President.
The new space consists of new slides, monkey bars, running track, hopscotch court, and other blacktop games. Funding for this project included support from Marshall and The New York Community Trust.
P.S. 88Q was one of three Queens schools selected to receive a new play space this year. The Queens Borough President also helped to fund playgrounds at PS 877Q and PS 182Q. Out2Play built playgrounds 40 city public school yards during this past spring and summer, which doubled the organization’s total from the previous three years.
“The future of this city lies in the hands of today’s youth and nurturing their health and development should be a top priority,” Wenner said. “Out2Play maintains its resolve to provide school children across the city with safe and stimulating play spaces and we are very excited to continue this work in Queens.”
