LUDLOW, Vt. – For the first time in more than 20 years, the Ludlow Elementary School (LES) playground is getting a major upgrade. The Ludlow Elementary Parent-Teacher Group (PTG) has announced the completed installation of a “natural playscape,” a project designed to modernize the aging recreation area and provide local students with fresh physical challenges.
The PTG is excited to have partnered with Mountain View Construction (www.mountainviewvt.com) to lead the installation. The company is well known in the Ludlow area, led by Dave Del Tufo and his team, who are also the familiar faces behind local favorites Eight Oh Brew and Slingers.
While the center piece of the new playscape – a custom tree deck – was delivered last year, finding a contractor with the availability to handle the specialized installation proved difficult until recently.
“It’s been over two decades since the LES playground has seen a significant improvement,” the PTG stated. “With this new feature, we are thrilled that the kids will finally have a new, engaging piece of equipment to enjoy for years to come. From the start, Dave’s communication was excellent – he got back to us so quickly and even accommodated our schedule by completing the installation during a school break so as not to disrupt the kids’ learning. We want to thank Dave and his team for getting the project completed on time and within budget.”
The new tree deck is designed to blend into the Vermont landscape while pushing students to develop their motor skills. Standing 6 feet high, the structure offers a variety of interactive elements, including a heavy-duty climbing net, a “shimmy” log, and a notched log for balance and coordination. Multiple climbing routes provide varying levels of difficulty.
The playground project is just one facet of the PTG’s commitment to Ludlow’s elementary school children. The organization works year-round to fund programs that fall outside the standard school budget. This includes the popular ski program at Okemo Mountain, which allows students from kindergarten through sixth grade to learn skiing or snowboarding over an 8-to-10-week period each winter. The PTG also ensures all students have access to educational assemblies and various field trips throughout the year.
Most of these initiatives are funded through donations from our local community and the Ludlow Harvest Fair. This year marks the 42nd annual event, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The PTG is currently asking our local businesses and community members to help offset the remaining costs of the installation. If you can help, please reach out to the PTG at ludlowPTG@gmail.com or call Courtney McGuire, PTG president, at 603-219-3491.