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Playground Transformations

St. Paul's students show off their muscles on the new playground.

The Karen McDonald Early Childhood Playground

Work was completed on the newly-renovated Karen McDonald Early Childhood Playground in early September 2024. Many thanks to the generous supporters who helped make this playground transformation possible. Early Childhood students love their new playground complete with merry-go-round, jungle gym, sandbox, roller slide, and balance beam. It's such a joy to see students spinning, running, jumping, and laughing in this warm and welcoming space. Keep scrolling to see pictures of students on the playground, and learn more about why we choose to honor Karen McDonald with this project.

Outdoor play is a critical part of St. Paul's education. We recognize the social emotional and wellness benefits for students across all age groups. 

Early Childhood students play on a jungle gym on the newly-renovated Karen McDonald playground.
Early Childhood students plays on a jungle gym on the newly-renovated Karen McDonald playground.
A preschool student uses the new balance beam on the Karen McDonald Early Childhood playground.
An Early Childhood student plays in a tunnel on the newly-renovated Karen McDonald playground.
Students play on the merry-go-round on the new ECC playground.
Early Childhood students play on a slide on the newly-renovated Karen McDonald playground.
Early Childhood students play in the sandbox on the newly-renovated Karen McDonald playground.
An Early Childhood student plays on the newly-renovated Karen McDonald playground.
Early Childhood students play on the roller slide on the newly-renovated Karen McDonald playground.

Why We Honored Karen Through Play

In honor of long-time toddler teacher and director of aftercare and summer programs, we are named this space after Karen McDonald. She passed away after a valiant battle against cancer in 2020. Karen was passionate about play and early childhood education. She was beloved by our community and had an incredible impact on the lives of her students and colleagues.

Click on the video below to learn why Karen was so special to our community and why she would have loved this project. Plus, hear from current early childhood teachers about why outdoor play is a critical piece of learning for our youngest students.

More Outdoor Play Projects

Through individual gifts, pledges, and Fund-A-Vision donations at our past two auctions, we raised more than $1,300,000 toward our west and south playground transformations. Click here to see the list of supporters for our west and south playgrounds.

In September 2021, we completed our West Playground for first and second grades. In October 2022, we completed the South Playground for third through eighth grade. Students are enjoying the new play equipment, outdoor classroom, bench seating, expanded sport field, and cheery landscaping. Keep scrolling to see images of our new play spaces.

West Playground - completed in 2021

St. Paul's students play on the new colorful west playground.
St. Paul's students play on the new colorful west playground.
St. Paul's students play on the new colorful west playground.
St. Paul's students play on the new colorful west playground.
St. Paul's students play on the new colorful west playground.
St. Paul's students play on the new colorful west playground.

South Playground - completed in 2022

Support Our Vision

To learn more about the full master plan and how you can join this vision for outdoor play, please contact Michelle Rodriguez, Director of Development, at mrodriguez@speds.org.