O’Fallon playgrounds getting $4M in upgrades. What’s your school getting?

It’s out with the old and in with the new for O’Fallon School District 90’s playgrounds. Each elementary school will be sporting updates next school year.

In total, playground and trail renovations across the five elementary schools cost nearly $4 million. Changes will include new equipment, uniform rubber surfacing, interactive panels and additional shade, said Superintendent Carrie Hruby.

In 2023, the district issued the sale of up to $18.5 million in working cash bonds to improve its facilities. The playground overhaul will draw from some of this funding, as well as money the schools’ Parent Teacher Organizations contribute, Hruby said.

“Playgrounds are more than just a place for fun — they are an extension of the classroom and play a vital role in a child’s development,” Hruby said.

She explained that as children explore playgrounds, they build gross motor skills, creativity, social skills and more, while also improving their physical and mental health.

It’s not just students who will reap the benefits of these upgrades, the larger community uses the playgrounds as well, Hruby said.

What will be new on my school’s playground?

Including features that are valuable for children of all abilities is on the forefront of the renovations, Hruby said. For example, every playground will have portions of poured-in-place rubber surfacing. This uniform surfacing is easier for people who use wheelchairs or have other mobility needs to navigate. It’s good for strollers as well.

The playgrounds are also getting swings with a back and harness, ideal for children who need additional support to swing.

The renovations at each school largely depend on what playground improvements have already been made, so some schools may see more new features than others. Hruby explained the schools’ PTOs and private donations have propelled gradual improvements over the years, but these efforts haven’t been able to address large-scale issues like surfacing.

“(The poured-in-place surfacing) was one of our big goals and dreams, but we always priced out,” Hinchcliffe PTO President Kristi Doolittle said.

Here’s a roundup of other key improvements coming to each school, shared by PTOs and Hutchinson Recreation and Design, the playground consultant for the new projects:

• Evans Elementary - Between the two playgrounds, new features include interactive panels, net climbers, freestanding climbers, multi-user circular swing, fabric shade, and a new inclusive playground structure.

• Hinchcliffe Elementary - New features include interactive panels, net climbers, communication board, resurfacing walking path with asphalt, ramped rocking glider, freestanding climbers, new inclusive playground structure, multi-user circular swing and new traditional swings.

• Kampmeyer Elementary - New features include interactive panels, ninja fitness course, dome climber, communication board, additional freestanding climbers, new play structure, resurfacing walking path with asphalt, outdoor classroom and fabric shades.

• Moye Elementary - The older students’ playground will have interactive panels, music area, communication board, net climbers, freestanding climbers, new inclusive playground structure, multi-user circular swing and traditional swings. The younger students’ playground will include plastic spinner with seats, playhouse, free-standing climber, communication board, climbing rockwalls, a new playground structure, multi-user circular swing and traditional swings.

• Schaefer Elementary - Schaefer’s renovation includes interactive panels, turf on soccer field, freestanding climbers, net climbers, multi-user circular swing, inclusive playground structure, fabric shades and freestanding fitness equipment.

All of the playground equipment is from Miracle Play Systems. Gleeson Asphalt, Inc. was selected to do site work necessary to start the renovations.

This story was originally published April 24, 2025 at 5:30 AM.