Eagle View Elementary in Breezy Point Opens New Playground

In two weeks, Eagle View Elementary School in Breezy Point will welcome nearly 600 students back to the classroom for the new school year. But before they break out their backpacks, students got to enjoy the school’s brand-new playground.

“We started designing it last summer and it passed as part of the referendum and it was just completed this last week,” said Eagle View Elementary School Principal Melissa Hesch during Wednesday’s opening.

The school’s previous playground had not been changed since Eagle View was built in 2003. The new playset was created in collaboration with current students to give the kids what they wanted to see during recess.

“Last summer, I met with all our Kid Konnection students and asked them what they loved about our playground, what they wanted to see in a new playground,” Hesch elaborated. “Took all their ideas, let them look at magazines, catalogs, and then I sent it to the designer. And then he sent back the specs, and then I met with each grade level during the school year, too, just to make sure it was what they were asking for. The number one thing they wanted was a zip line.”

One aspect of planning the new play area was was ensuring that all students were able to enjoy it.

“[The students playing are] doing all the different fine motor skills, gross motor skills out there, but it’s also accessible for all of our students,” explained Hesch. “So even our students who might need a walker or something to access it, they can get to the pieces of equipment and interact.”

Staff wanted to ensure that students were able to use the playground year-round, so a four-inch-thick poured rubber flooring was installed that can withstand all different types of weather.

“When the snow melts, it won’t puddle. And so we won’t have some of the safety issues as well, and I know the kids are excited about that. We go outside all the time, all year-round,” continued Hesch.

But recess isn’t just about playtime. According to American University, time spent on the playground can increase productivity and build soft skills like conflict resolution.

“Play is such an important part of development,” said Hesch. “Starting in the youngest ages, kids learn how to socialize, how to solve problems, how to talk to each other, how to have conversations. It’s important for their social well-being.”

Eagle View Elementary will kick off the school year, along with the rest of Pequot Lakes Public Schools, on September 2.