Maymont’s Playground Has Vanished
Punk'd at pre-K?
The Maymont Elementary School playground has been removed. During a weekend when another playground was found burned, this has to be considered suspicious. Two substantial leads and several more pictures after the jump.
This child is ready to identify a suspect in the case.
This de-construction equipment was found at the scene.
A new minimalist approach to recreation?
What could the reason be behind the removal of the playground? The antiquated and run-down structure that stood in this spot was overdue for a change. Perhaps those responsible for its removal have done the community a service in this case.
Hopefully, the equipment will be replaced, no questions asked.
In a possibly related story, the parents group that has been working with Maymont’s new Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) program has indicated that an impressive new playground is due to be installed by mid-September. Stay tuned for details as they unfold.
Funny that the old playground was *just fine* for the Maymont kids for all those years, yet when RPS wanted to brown-nose the Munford/Fox/Cary parents, it just wouldn’t do.
Of course, the former Maymont students, now crammed into crowded halls and trailers at Clark Springs, won’t be getting a similar new playground. But never mind those minor details- this is all part of Yvonne Brandon’s Lifelong Dream or somesuch crap.
New fangled playthings are standard for the Fox/Munford set. Of course RPS will placate them with that stuff. The school system is also trying to lure kids/parents away from Patrick Henry charter school and get them routed into RPS schools. It starts with free pre-k program and other incentives. I don’t know if these maneuvers are desperate power plays or the progress associated with competition.
I don’t know if these maneuvers are desperate power plays or the progress associated with competition.
A combination of desperate power plays and general incompetence. But that’s what happens when you have school board that contains a mix of ingorati and aspiring career politicians and a school system administration led by an unqualified Superintendent installed in a backroom deal even shadier than DC politics.
But at least the former Maymont/current Clark Springs kids can take comfort knowing they’re not going to school in Church Hill, where the elementary school facilities make pre-VPI Maymont look like the Taj Mahal.
Gee, a new playground in the neighborhood doesn’t seem like such a bad thing.
So basically, the people of the Maymont area should sit down, shut up and take the crumbs they’re given when RPS decides to give?
Got it. I’ll go back into my hole now. To hell with the kids.
I agree that the new playground is a good thing and that’s why I posted this playful piece: to build excitement and bring families together around a new feature of the neighbohood. But, I do think the other commenters have a point. It’s sad if our local schools don’t warrant this kind of attention or resources from RPS. And they wonder why people spend big bucks on private schools, move out to the counties, or start charter schools.
Thats Richmond Politics, Backdoor, look at the leadership. It’s all about the buck, forget the kids.
The playgrounds at all 3 Pre-K Centers (Blackwell, MLK, and Maymont) need to be suitable for the 2-to-5 year-olds they serve, so the Maymont Center playground is being replaced and the MLK center is getting additional equipment to make all three playgrounds age-appropriate. The 1st of the 3 Pre-K Center Open Houses is at Maymont tonight (Wed. 9/8) from 5 to 7 p.m.; the community is welcome to attend and learn more. Beyond Pre-K Centers, there are a number of RPS playgrounds that will also get upgrades this year as part of the 5 year ADA plan. That list should be on the RPS website soon.
I’m pretty sure that a group of parents got together, got some funding (not all from RPS) and decided to build a playground that was age-appropriate. For the whole school to use, not just Munford/Fox/Cary kids. Also, for the whole neighborhood. I think that’s a good thing, too. Also heard that time estimates are closer to end of October completion.
AMAZING turnout of new parents, partners, staff and children at the Pre-K Center at Maymont last night. The place was packed, the rooms were bright & cheery, and the teachers were ready for their young students. The new playground construction’s scheduled to begin 9/20 with just a few days needed to complete. In the mean time, the new blacktop is being used already for the first wave of students who started at the Center on Monday. Open Houses for the Blackwell and MLK Pre-K Centers are set for next week and all Pre-K children should be in class beginning Monday.
[...] closure for years. In the interim, a parents group consulted with Richmond Public Schools to help plan for a complete update of the school’s playground with small children in mind. The new structure features a climbing tunnel, a scavenger hunt, [...]