Playground revamps underway for Madison elementaries
Playground restructuring and installation of new equipment is complete at Horizon Elementary School. Workers will finish playground renovations at all Madison schools by the end of the school year. PHOTO / John S. Peck, MCS
Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
7:59 pm Friday, February 3, 2023

Playground revamps underway for Madison elementaries

MADISON – Children at all elementary campuses in Madison City Schools soon will have revamped, safer playground areas.

The only caveat is Midtown Elementary School, the newest campus in MCS, that had its up-to-date, contemporary playground included during construction. “The other playgrounds will be equivalent to Midtown,” MCS Chief Operations Officer John Jones said.

The playground project has a $2.6-million price tag, which includes removal of dated equipment, site preparation and new playground pieces.

Great Southern Recreation in Murfreesboro, Tenn. won the bid for procurement of playground equipment and installation of the ‘play stations.’ Representatives from Great Southern talked to principals and parents at each school in determining the playground needs for each campus. The company also requested the enrollment at each school to help in its calculations.

Currently, crews are working at Horizon and Rainbow. Workers are slightly behind schedule because of the arctic-cold weather in December 2022 and incessant rain during January. In addition, crews are waiting for delivery of additional equipment to the sites.

“Rainbow is getting the gravel base installed now. Probably about one-half is covered in gravel. When workers finish at Horizon, they will go to Rainbow.” The project is “an overall investment to all schools,” Jones said.

Elementary schools with larger populations will have a playground with more space. Schools with a larger share of children in special education, including Columbia, Mill Creek and Rainbow, will have more stations of specialized equipment, MCS Public Relations Manager John S. Peck said.

“I am certainly grateful to our school board for their support of this project,” MCS Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols said in a recent “District Update.”

Currently, most existing playgrounds have a surface of wood chips that are enclosed by a long, rubberized perimeter. All playgrounds will receive a new, safer surface. “For example, Midtown has a two-inch rubber base, spread under the turf. It feels natural (like artificial turf) when you walk on it,” Jones said.

“The likelihood of falls causing injuries is lower with the new foundations, compared to the jagged edges of some wood chips in place now,” Jones said.

Another benefit is improved drainage. No longer will students have muddy shoes after playing outside. “It can rain and — only 15 minutes later — the kids can go out to play,” Jones said.

Currently, inclement, winter weather results in mud puddles and prohibits going outside, The new surfacing will allow students to enjoy more time outdoors.

Playgrounds will be comparable — not identical. For example, Columbia and Rainbow have larger populations and will have more playground space. In addition, some PTA groups have raised funds to install more shade cloths and benches.

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - Madison Mayor Paul Finley will be leaving the office of mayor this Nov. after sitting out the Aug. 26 election. Finley addressed the busines...
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *