2011-12 Project
Stone Academy and the City of Greenville work together to maintain
and continually improve Croft Park, which is city owned and used by
the school for recess and school events. Most recently the
city parks planner met several times with the school improvement
council (in 2010-12) to develop and begin implementation of a plan
for major improvements. This year the focus was on correcting
some of the problems caused by diseased older trees and storm water
drainage. With financial support from PTA, and labor and
materials provided by the city, French drains were installed and low
areas filled with mulch. Portions of the walkway were replaced
as well, with decorative concrete and even a school logo embossed in
the concrete. Dead trees were removed, stumps ground, and new
trees planted. There are also plans for new plantings on the
Wilton St. side of the building. A hopscotch area will be laid
soon connecting Croft Park to the new running track, which is owned
and maintained by the school and district. The multi-year plan
calls for a rain garden, new seating, stairs to Croft Street to be
rebuilt to code, water fountain, new amphitheatre and stage, bike
racks, and stone signage for the main entryway.
2004 Improvements
The School Improvement Council, led by Property Chairman, James
Bailey, coordinated the improvements to the playground areas in
2004. After identifying the critical need for improvements,
the committee solicited and evaluated bids. By collaborating
with the City of Greenville, the School District, and the Stone PTA,
they were able to double the size of the kindergarten playground,
level and mulch play spaces and sod open spaces. With help
from the City of Greenville and a grant from Kaboom, Stone acquired
the large play structure for Croft Park, with Home Depot providing
building materials and lots of volunteers. Chick-Fil-A for
provided lunch for those volunteer workers.The results are valued at
more than $70,000 at a cost to the PTA of less than $15,000.
This was a true community effort. Student representatives from
the student council examined several options for the play structure
and chose their favorite. The City of Greenville graded the
park and built attractive retaining walls to contain the mulch.
Southern Landscaping spent an entire day blowing the mulch into
place.
James and Christi Bailey provided the impetus for the kindergarten
play area improvements. When the renovations to the building
were completed, that area was cut in half by the fence separating
Stone property from the city's Croft Park. Everywhere, the
ground sloped toward drainage holes, making the entire area
inappropriate for small children to play and no equipment to play
on. Sand pits were replaced with mulch, and new play equipment
is due to be installed any day now. Areas between the mulch
pit and the building were sodded with turf. These improvements
enhance safety, and allow developmentally appropriate activities
that enhance the fine motor skills of kindergarteners. |
