By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

A pleasant surprise will be waiting for Epsom Central School students when they resume classes this autumn.

On Saturday, July 29, a group of volunteers toiled all day to put up phases I and II of a project to replace the school’s outdated playground.

Early reviews were positive.

“It’s going to be really fun,” said 11-year-old ECS student Dakota Elliott, who was already swinging from one of the new structures. “I think everyone will like it.”

The playground project kicked off two years ago, and has been a priority for the Epsom Central School PTO.

The group raised more than $13,000 through fundraisers like Spring Carnival, a haunted house, yard sales, an Old Home Days dunking booth and a Santa’s workshop.

“It’s taken us two years to get this far,” said PTO President Diane Lewis. “I know the kids can’t wait to get going.”

The group got a boost when the school board agreed to chip in $5,000 for phase II of the project, which includes multiple slides, new swings and a climbing-rock wall.

“The PTO has worked so hard to raise money,” said school board member Tracey Miner, who was also volunteering with construction. “I felt compelled to help support phase II.”

Local volunteers got some help installing the brightly colored prefab structures from representatives of playground distributor Pettinelli & Associates.

Volunteers and the PTO donated food and drinks for the many volunteers.

“I’m so happy this many people came out,” said Miner.

ECS Principal Patrick Connors, who was also getting his hands dirty installing the new equipment, said he certainly welcomes the playground update, especially as the old wooden playground structures were outdated.

“The main thing is safety,” said Connors.

Lewis said the PTO is still trying to raise about $12,000 to move ahead with the third and final phase of the project, which she hopes will be completed either this year or next.