Impact Alamance is proud to announce the completion of a new playground at Garrett Elementary School, the final playground in its funding project to improve recreational facilities at all Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) elementary schools. This marks the culmination of an almost ten-year commitment to enhancing play spaces for children across our county.
In a ribbon-cutting ceremony held today at Garrett Elementary, local leaders, school officials, and community members celebrated the addition of this new playground, which is the 20th and final playground funded by Impact Alamance. Since its first contribution in 2016, the foundation has invested over $1.1 million to enhance playgrounds at elementary schools across the district.
“We know that healthy physical and social environments contribute to healthy people. Our hope is that this investment creates safe, fun, and accessible spaces for kids to play and grow – contributing to a healthier Alamance County,” said Tracey Grayzer, President of Impact Alamance. “We are grateful for our partnership with the school system, which made this possible.”
The investment in school playgrounds is not only a benefit for the students of ABSS, but also for the wider community. Thanks to the Community Use Policy passed in 2016 by the ABSS Board of Education, all ABSS elementary school playgrounds and walking trails are accessible to the public during daylight hours when school is not in session. This important initiative was made possible in part due to the dedicated advocacy of the Alamance Wellness Collaborative, whose efforts played a crucial role in gaining support for the policy. As a result, families and individuals from throughout the community can enjoy these facilities, further strengthening the connection between the schools and the neighborhoods they serve.
“This is a tremendous milestone for our community, and we are deeply grateful to Impact Alamance for their unwavering commitment to our students and families,” said Dr. Aaron Fleming, Superintendent of the Alamance-Burlington School System. “These playgrounds not only enhance our schools but also create spaces where children and the community can come together to play, learn, and grow. The open-use policy reflects our belief in the power of collaboration, and this final ribbon cutting marks the culmination of a truly impactful partnership.”
With the completion of Garrett Elementary’s playground, Impact Alamance has met its goal of funding approximately three school playgrounds per year, totaling 20 playgrounds across the district. The project’s total investment amounts to $1,112,000, all funded by the foundation. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by a tour of the new playground, where children from Garrett Elementary enjoyed the new equipment and facilities.
