Do you live in Center City? Do you struggle to find a safe and engaging place for your children to play?  Would you like to help build a world-class play space for our community? Then please consider supporting the Greenfield Community Playground Project!  The Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School The Albert M. Greenfield Home and School Association (the "HSA") is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization devoted to support the teachers and students of the Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School, a K-8, public, elementary school located on the 2200 block of Chestnut Street in Center City, Philadelphia. The HSA is raising money to replace our school's out-dated and broken-down playground equipment. Specifically, the HSA intends to replace our school's primary play structure and completely rebuild our Sansom Street kindergarten play yard.   The Primary Play Structure Greenfield’s primary play structure is over 20 years old. Due to its age and heavy use, many of its structural elements have failed. One of two slides was damaged beyond repair and recently removed to ensure our children's safety. Because of the age of the equipment, replacement parts are no longer manufactured. In addition, the play surface beneath the structure does not comply with existing regulations. Please note, the Greenfield Community Playground Project only intends to replace the primary play area's play structure and to resurface the area underneath it. The project will not remove or otherwise impact the playground's other existing elements. The Kindergarten Play Area Greenfield maintains a separate playground for its kindergarten students. One of the two structures, the half dome, dates from at least the 1970s. Due to its all metal construction and the playground’s southern exposure, it frequently becomes so hot that students are prevented from using it during outdoor play. The second structure is the same age as the primary play structure and suffers from similar wear and tear. The Kindergarten Play Area's existing play surface presents an acute issue. Aside from rudimentary rubber mats located beneath the play structures, the play surface remains mostly concrete and is not compliant with applicable regulations ensuring safe play. “The number of Band-Aids we go through daily is sad.” -Alison Gordon, Greenfield Kindergarten Teacher What We Intend to Build Over the past year, the HSA has held a series of meetings to solicit feedback from teachers, parents and students regarding what elements they would like to see in a new playground. As a result of this work, our designers have identified Kompan’s Kilimanjaro play structure as the leading candidate to serve as Greenfield’s new primary play structure. For the Kindergarten Play Area, our Kindergarten teachers have identified Kompan’s Mountaineer play structure as being best suited for their students' needs. <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/42417284_1569949815990833_r.jpeg" alt="42417284_1569949815990833_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /> The Kilimanjaro will provide ample climbing and balancing activities in a transparent, bouncy and sturdy play unit. It will train the motor skill ABCs - agility, balance and coordination. Numerous nooks and swaying meeting points create areas for fun social interaction. The ground-based features offer opportunities for all abilities to explore and participate in the fun. The high net bridge and the tall curvy slide offer exhilarating play rewards after having gained a new self-esteem from conquering the heights. <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/42417284_1569950028129926_r.jpeg" alt="42417284_1569950028129926_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /> Designed specifically to enhance the play of our youngest children, the Mountaineer will present a choice of physical, social and cognitive stimulation. The varied climbing surfaces - a membrane climber, horizontal net, climbing wall and stairway - offer play that cross-coordination and muscles. Adding challenge and fun, a bouncy membrane climber responds to a child’s movements. The double slide trains balance and core muscles and the many moveable and sound elements develop dexterity and logical thinking. Why Should You Support the Greenfield Community Playground Project? Greenfield Elementary is located in a “play desert.” Our playground is the only centrally-located, public play space located in Center City West. Not only will a new playground benefit Greenfield’s students, it will serve as a vital play space for the many young families who live in Greenfield’s immediate vicinity. Unlike other schools located in Center City, Philadelphia, Greenfield's playground is open to the public. On evenings and weekends and throughout the summer months when school is not is session, Greenfield's playground enjoys heavy use by members of our greater community. Please considering helping us what will surely become a vibrant neighborhood asset. The HSA Must Raise an Additional $100,000 by March 1, 2020 To complete the project in time for the 2020 to 2021 school year and Greenfield's 50th Anniversary, the HSA must raise an additional $100,000.  Buoyed by generous contributions from local stakeholders and an $100,000 matching grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the HSA has raised more than $200,000 of the project's estimated $300,000+ budget. As a result, we are approximately $100,000 short of our final goal. To complete our fundraising campaign, we need your help to bridge this final gap. Please consider donating any amount to help us endow our community's children with the gift of play! More importantly, please take the opportunity to share our fundraising page with your friends and family! Thank You!

Michael and Stacey Marmura

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Anonymous

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Mark Naples

mina mishrikey

Kathy Cadieux 

Mike and Ida McGrath

Joanna  Bisgaier

Debra Young

Lisa Delgado

Jay & Martha Webster

Diane Schwartz 

Glenn Stevens

Colleen Smith

Rachel Bower

Greenfield Community Playground Project

Greenfield Community Playground Project

Still $36,445 to go. Help us build momentum.