Playground ribbon cutting set for Monday, Aug. 10

There will be a ribbon cutting for the new Carlyle Grade School playground at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10.    Carlyle Grade School principal Lindsay Fark and the Carlyle Parent Teacher Organization will be hosting a ribbon cutting for the new grade school inclusive playground next week.
    The ribbon cutting is set for 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10. 
    Fark said it will be a "snow-cones and playground afternoon."
    Carlyle Grade School families and the Carlyle community are invited to come out and see the new playground. They will be able to see the playground just a few days before school starts.
    The ribbon cutting ceremony and welcome will be at 1 p.m. There will be playtime from 1 to 3 p.m.
    The outdated playground equipment was replaced with a safe, inclusive space for all children. Plans included accessible play features, a communication board for non-verbal students, and safer rubber mulch.
    "Everyone can come and take a peak at all of the exciting things that we were doing this summer," Fark said. "The kids will be able to play a little bit in a little more relaxed environment before we start school."
    High school student volunteers will be available to help supervise play.
    The ceremony will open with a brief speaking moment from a few different people.
    The large donors will be invited as well.
    Free snow cones will be provided by Crave Shave Ice. Owner Dani Huels will put a donation jar out and any donations will be given back to the Carlyle PTO.
    Fark said the playground area turned out nice.
    High school art club students helped paint and touch up the blacktop activities such as four square, the big United States map, making the kickball bases brighter, and adding sensory paths to the blacktop.
    Fark said maintenance director Jeremy Butts has been amazing through the process.
    "I can't thank him enough," Fark said. "He has been the doer of all things and has saved us a lot of money in install, tear out, ground work, and removal of things. We are really thankful for him."