The Boothbay Region Elementary School playground is official. Kindergarten through second grade enjoyed a grand opening picnic, complete with a celebratory cake, on Sept. 24.

“We called today’s event at BRES a ‘Joyous Celebration’ because it is just that,” said Assistant Principal Tricia Campbell. “This family-style picnic was an opportunity for us to celebrate and share our joy and thankfulness together as a family and a community.”

Between the efforts of the CSD boards, Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor, BRES Parent Teacher Organization, school teachers and staff, and community members, the playground was a success, an example of commitment to the children and families on the peninsula, said Campbell.

Rotarian Marty Helman said the Rotary Club was happy to partner with the school and PTO to make the playground happen. Helman said what makes this project special is, it did not come from just from the Rotary since the idea and energy started with the PTO, BRES and support of the boards.

“There was no little kids’ playground and little kids need to play. We said ‘Yes, sure, we’d love to help. What do you need?’ (It was) just a little bit of sweat equity, some money,” said Helman.

The Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor kicked in $5,000 and got a matching grant from the Rotary Foundation. Helman said the wood collected from clearing the site – some of that sweat equity besides the US map project which qualified the grants – went to the Boothbay Region Community Resource Council’s Woodchucks program, so a couple of families will now have enough wood for a good portion of this winter.

“How’s that for bringing it around,"said Helman. “It takes a village.”

PTO Vice President Mary Baudo motioned to the students investigating their new stomping grounds and said this is what happens when everyone can work together. "It’s what community is all about. We had a vision and here’s the beginning of it. It’s really great.”

While everyone is happy and proud to say this project has been a success, it is still only half of the long term goal of offering play areas for all students, Campbell said. The new playground is designed for students from pre-Kindergarten through second grade, so “Phase Two,” as Campbell called it, will focus on the equipment and needs of students from third through eighth grade. She said she has already written and applied for grants to see the entire vision through.

“The hope is that these facilities will not only support the social and play needs of our kids but also their physical and health needs as well. And we appreciate the generosity of time and resources that many have already given.”

Local businesses have also lent more than a helping hand, Campbell said. Conley’s Garden Center and Landscaping provided a discount for shrubbery, and Conley’s landscaper Larry Knowlton and his crew did the installation and transplanted bushes and plants. EM Woods Construction did the resurfacing, grading and wood chip installation and made the project a top priority, said Campbell.

“Just seeing the smiling faces of our children and hearing their high-pitched shrieks and giggles as they climb the structure, twirl on the ten-spin and swing on the new swingset is priceless.”