Posted at 11:08 a.m., Friday, June 29, 2001

State OK needed to replace playground

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

The children are going to have the last laugh.

After hearing that thieves stole playground equipment at a private nonprofit Headstart program at Barbers Point Elementary, a generous community yesterday donated about $8,000 to replace the loss. Thieves last weekend stole two jungle gyms, a merry-go-round and a sandbox, all valued at $1,300.

The donations stunned Headstart teacher Staphane Paz.

"We can't believe the outpouring," she said today. "There is so much bad out there, but good overrides it. It is so good to know that there are so many people with good hearts for the children."

But replacing the equipment cannot begin until the elementary principal and the Department of Education approve the plan.

Paz said a thick pad must be installed first for safety and she thinks the donations should cover the cost. She said playground equipment already on the school campus for a year has been off-limits to all children because there is no safety pad.

"The construction people were ready to roll in yesterday," Paz said. "People are wanting to do it. But we have to get clearance from the state."