New playground unveiled at Quinn School
Audra Thomas cuts the ribbon with (right to left) Lenox Porta from kindergarten, Zoe Francis from first grade, Josie Oliver from second grade, Lillian Cabral from third grade, Atticus Folger from fourth grade and Mila DeBarros from fifth grade. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Some students celebrate the opening of the playground. 
The playground. 
The spinner. 
Some of the games inside the play set. 
Some student celebrate the opening of the playground. 
Audra Thomas tries out the slide. 
The ASL guide inside the play set. 
An accessible feature for wheelchair users. 
The communication board. 
Members of the Dartmouth Community Media enjoy the play set.
Audra Thomas cuts the ribbon with (right to left) Lenox Porta from kindergarten, Zoe Francis from first grade, Josie Oliver from second grade, Lillian Cabral from third grade, Atticus Folger from fourth grade and Mila DeBarros from fifth grade. Photos by Kat Sheridan
Some students celebrate the opening of the playground.
The playground.
The spinner.
Some of the games inside the play set.
Some student celebrate the opening of the playground.
Audra Thomas tries out the slide.
The ASL guide inside the play set.
An accessible feature for wheelchair users.
The communication board.
Members of the Dartmouth Community Media enjoy the play set.
To the cheers of a school full of children, Quinn Elementary School cut the ribbon on the new playground on Wednesday, June 3.
“Today is a very exciting day for our school committee,” said Quinn principal Audra Thomas, “We are gathered here to celebrate the unveiling of a space that will bring joy, imagination, friendship and countless memories to our students for years to come.”
The project started a year ago, with the creation of a Playground Committee, which was made up of a number of staff from the school. The Committee planned how they wanted it to look and what sort of play things it would include.
“I want to go there everyday,” said one student, looking at the spinner.
The Committee pitched the $250,000 project to Town Meeting, where it was approved through the Capital Planning Committee.
They hired a team from Childscapes, who helped from planning to finish.
The playground features a number of accessible details so all students can enjoy their recess; the colors are purple and teal to make it easier for visually impaired students, a communication board to help students communicate, features for students in wheelchairs and sign language guides.
“We had teachers, we had ESPs [education support professionals,] we had occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, the art teacher. We had so many staff that wanted to join this committee because we really wanted to have a playground with our number one focus being that it’s accessible to all students,” said Thomas.
The playground has rubber flooring rather than wood chips, to be more accessible and safe. Besides the spinner, there are monkey bars, a xylophone and of course, multiple slides.
“You always need a good slide,” said Thomas.
During the unveiling, two alumni, Alana Machado and Amber Polack, held the ribbon for Thomas to cut. A child from each grade was chosen to stand upfront as the ribbon was cut; Lenox Porta from kindergarten, Zoe Francis from first grade, Josie Oliver from second grade, Lillian Cabral from third grade, Atticus Folger from fourth grade and Mila DeBarros from fifth grade.
“We are excited to see all the fun, laughter and learning that will happen here,” said Thomas.
