Woodsdale Elementary Thanks Those Who Made New Playground Happen
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The playground project at Woodsdale Elementary School is now complete, and Monday night the school took time to say thank you to those contributing time, effort and money to make the work happen.
The project took nearly $300,000 and more than five years to complete — with a year-long pandemic thrown into the mix, explained Principal Ashlea Minch.
A celebration of the new playground took place Monday night on the playground surface.
"We had plans to hold this last spring, but it was put on hold for obvious reasons," Minch told those in attendance.
Thank you cards crafted by students lined tables that were set up on the playground.
Minch and Stacy Russell, a member of the school's PTO playground committee, all passed out certificates of appreciation to many who gave to the school.
Among those honored were 37 volunteers who worked to paint colorful games and images on the asphalt during a very hot August day, according to Russell.
Ohio County Board of Education members past and present were recognized, as were officials with the city of Wheeling and the Ohio County commission.
The school thanked its neighbors — the family of Rabbi Joshua Lief and the Temple Shalom, as well as Rev. Erica Harley and the Vance Presbyterian Church.
Those present admired the school's outdoor gazebo/classroom area, and thanked American Electric Power for its contributions in its construction. Robert and Libby Strong of the Smart Center in Wheeling also were honored for painting star constellations on the ceiling of the gazebo.
Also recognized were Kalkreuth Construction, JD&E Construction, Panhandle Restoration, Four Seasons Landscaping and the Glessner Group.
Parent Kathleen Wack was singled out for her work on the playground board, and for suggesting the playground be opened to the community and the city of Wheeling be involved.
"I don't think the majority of people realize the number of businesses and individuals it takes to make something like this happen," Russell said.
Minch said one last project remains on the playground, and that's the installation of a sensory garden in the kindergarten area of the playground. Money is already in place for the project.
The fundraising effort for the playground is over, but there is the matter of maintenance, Minch said.
The school plans to host an annual "Lets Play 5K" to raise money for its playground. The event did not take place last year or this year, but will resume in 2022, she said.