Playspace Fundraiser

The date is set, the setting is booked, and the invitations are out. The Reed Intermediate PTA Playspace Committee is busy finalizing the arrangements for an April Fool’s Event to raise funds for the final phase of the playspace at the school. The new facility will provide students with an outlet for exercise and socialization within the context of the school day and will also provide community members of all ages with a resource for physical fitness and training as well as play.

The gala will be held at the Waterview on Route 34 in Monroe on Friday, March 31, from 7 pm to midnight.

Donations have allowed the committee to completely fund two phases of the project. Phase I includes the installation of the SpaceNet, a pyramid of intertwining webs, that was voted on by the children. Other playground structures feature items such as be a ring pull, a chin up bar and a stationary cycler, some of these structures are handicap accessible.

Phase II includes a series of components that are certain to be physically challenging. Two playground structures were donated by the Reed Student Council; parallel bars and a climbing wall were donated by Dr Della Schmid. A wave net horizontal ladder has been donated by the Newtown Rotary Club. A stationary cycle with handles and pedals will also be part of the equipment the playscape will offer. All of the playground components are in storage until the weather allows for installation.

The committee wishes to acknowledge Dominick Posca, buildings and grounds supervisor for Newtown schools who has donated his time, labor, equipment, and talents as the project manager. Reed parent and representative of Landscape Structures, Peter Wallace, has been instrumental in negotiating the purchase of the playspace equipment. He also donated two of the components, one of which is handicap accessible.

Dan Holmes of Holmes Fine Gardens designed the site plan and produced drawings of the playspace, which will be on display at the fundraising event. Sean O’ Leary, Reed parent and representative of Unilock, a supplier of stone type walkways and walls, has generously offered to donate the entire stone retaining wall for the playground.

The committee members are diligent in their efforts to fund Phase III, which will include a fitness circuit, a series of specialized exercise stations, additional walls, landscaping, tables and benches.

Invitations for the fundraising event were sent to all parents of children in kindergarten through the sixth grade, as those children will ultimately benefit from the addition of the new playground. Ticket prices for the fundraiser are $85 per person or $80 per person for tables of 10 to 12. The fundraiser will include a cocktail hour with hors d’ oeuvres, a gourmet sit down dinner, an open bar and a Venetian dessert table. Music will be provided by a live, local band.

Parents may return the RSVP form to Reed School at 3 Trades Lane. The reply date for tickets is March 17. Seating is limited. For additional information about attending or donating an item to be auctioned visit www.newtown.k12.ct.us/reed or contact Marina Moscovici at 364-1077.