DCS Montessori much-anticipated playground expansion
Students enjoy the new court and turf areas adjacent to the existing playground equipment at DCS Montessori
Article and picture by Tracy Dudley
After two years of planning, Castle Pines North’s expanding and flourishing DCS Montessori School has added more opportunity for fun to the school’s upper elementary playground. While the board of Directors had the notion in place, new Head of School Jeromy Johnson made sure it happened.
“It was a clear priority for me. Our enrollment has continued to grow, so we need more room for more students,” said Johnson.
After a summer of construction zones and labor, expansion of the existing playground added more surface area to the blacktop, two new adjustable basketball hoops, a tether ball pole, and more than 10,000 square feet of synthetic turf for upper elementary students to enjoy. The artificial turf field actually winds around the west part of the school in an aesthetically appealing cascade and is visible from both Castle Pines Parkway and Charter Oaks Drive.
“We have a few finishing touches left,” said Johnson, “and we already have had a steady stream of constant positive feedback from parents, students, and teachers who say they love the playground.”
This project was funded partially by capital improvement funding from a DCSD mill levy override and partially by the Montessori Education Foundation, which has been a 501c(3) non-profit supporter of DCS Montessori since its inception in Castle Pines North nearly ten years ago.
Among leadership involved in the planning process, the choice of artificial turf was a no-brainer. Benefits with the turf include water conservation, lack of muddy messes, low maintenance for upkeep, and the playing field maintains a nice even shade of green all year long. Additionally, kids are really enjoying the new opportunity for field sports.
“Kids are playing touch football and soccer every day, whereas they just could not do that before, said Johnson. “In addition, the expanded blacktop area with new plexiglas basketball backboards has rekindled everyday involvement in court sports.”
For more information about DCS Montessori, please visit the schools website at www.dcsmontessori.org or call 303-387-5625.
