Mountain Middle School achieved its long-range goal of adding more green space to the neighborhood with the addition of a playground and community park this summer.
The project was completed in early July at the school, 108 W. 31st St., providing the community with new playground equipment and green space. Previously, the surrounding neighborhood was the last in Durango without a park.
“The process to get the playground equipment has been ongoing for well over a year,” said Heather Otter, Mountain Middle School board president. “We made the best of it, and we are extremely happy to be able to put this equipment in, and to add open space for the kids to enjoy.”
In addition to the new equipment, the school purchased an adjacent lot so that kids have grass to play on.
Otter said that before there was a playground, kids would play in a gravel lot at school that they nicknamed the “cheese grater.”
“We didn’t have any playground equipment before, so kids would play four square in that gravel lot,” Otter recalled.
The new playground equipment also can be used for fitness regimens by adults.
“It has been incredible to see how many neighborhood families have been enjoying the equipment,” Otter said. “It is multipurpose equipment for working out and for school kids.”
The completion of the park comes at the end of a series of energy-efficient additions to the school in January, including new classrooms, meeting spaces and an exhibition hall.
“This was all part of a larger vision. Not only to expand the brick and mortar space, but to expand the play area and the green space,” Otter said.
Otter said it was important to the school to provide these amenities not only for their students, but for the entire community.
“I think schools are an integral part of a community, and they represent a gathering place for many neighborhoods. We’ve always intended to enhance the neighborhood with Mountain Middle School’s building, space and activities,” Otter said.
mrupani@durangoherald.com
