By Amanda Moses
Students at Abe Stark Primary School (PS) 346 hosted their very first Town Hall Meeting on June 2nd where they discussed and advocated for their playground to be renovated.
For decades, the PS 346 playground has been serving simply as a large concrete surface with decaying basketball backboards and netless hoops. While the space has often been utilized to host events like the PTA’s End of Year Carnival, many students are hoping that it could become a greenspace filled with grass, swings, monkey bars, and maybe even sprinklers.
Earlier this month, members of the Girls Empowerment Movement (GEM), My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) and PS 346’s student government gathered in the school to present several talking points why they believe it is important that their playground be renovated.
Principal Jabari Edwards shared that one of the first issues brought to his attention upon taking the position at PS 346 was the state of the playground. Since joining the staff, Edwards made it his mission to inquire to whom has ownership over the playground with the help of Council Member Charles Barron—which they learned the area belonged to PS 346.
“So, once I figured that out, what I wanted to do was make sure that the students and the community were fully involved. I know exactly what I would like the playground to look like, but it’s not about me. It’s about the school and it’s about the greater community,” Edwards said.
Edwards took this process a step further and met with members of the City Construction Authority and elected officials such as Council Member Barron, who helped grant PS 346 $1.5 million to renovate the playground with the stipulation that this reconstruction must also make the area accessible to the students of PS 346 as well as other local schools, along with the community. This would mean that tentatively the playground would be utilized by the school from 8am to about 5pm, and then the community could access it from 5pm until dusk Monday through Friday (the community could have full access to the playground over the weekend as well.)
Edwards then turned the project over to the student government, members of GEM and MBK, who queried students regarding the changes they would like to see and why a new playground is important in the first place.
“Our call to action is to provide our school community with a safe space for students. A playground sounds like just playtime, but honestly, it’s much more than just a playground. A playground helps to develop crucial physical and emotional play. That will also help students socialize and gain self-confidence not to mention how students can use critical thinking skills,” Delilah a member of GEMs said.
One by one members of hosting groups presented their thoughts emphasizing that the ability to play and interact with other children in a safe space builds connections, teamwork, and other skills.
A representative from Senator Roxanne Persaud’s office also was in attendance and applauding the children’s well-spoken discussion and added that she has a renewed hope watching these bright future leaders.
The plans to renovate PS 346’s playground is an ongoing process intertwining with community feedback and designs.
Photos by Amanda Moses
