Kenwood Elementary Parents Work to Fix School Playground

Last year, a group of Kenwood Elementary School parents worked to pay for over $10,000 worth of improvements to the school's drainage system and baseball field.

The Parent Teacher Association hopes to finish the job with a revamp of the school's aging playground equipment. The PTA has worked to solicit sponsorships from local businesses and set up a fundraising event this Friday, 'Strike it Big for Kenwood Kids!'.

'Strike it Big for Kenwood Kids!' is scheduled between 7-10 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at Thunderbird Lanes (400 W. Maple Rd., Troy). To register, visit kenwoodhugpta.wix.com/frogs#!blank/c3eo.

In addition to bowling, donors can take part in the raffle and silent auction, which includes gifts from local businesses and Kenwood classrooms.

"The playground we have now is about 17 years old and you can tell. It's in disrepair. It's rusted," said PTA President Shannon Gougeon. "It's especially a shame because the entire community in the southwest area of Clawson uses it like a community playground. It's the only park in the area."

The community can now enjoy the school without fear of stepping in a mud puddle or slipping on the ice which used to flow from a faulty drainage system thanks in large part to the PTA, said parent Gerald Maliszewski.

Together with the Clawson Youth Baseball and Softball League, Kenwood's drainage system was fixed and its baseball field revamped with new bases last year, at a cost of over $5,000 from each entity, Gougeon said. The initiatives are a grassroots effort, Gougeon added, and parents aren't anticipating any funds from the school district.

The cost of bowling is $20, including 2 games, shoe rental (if needed), pizza/pop and a mystery. The registration form can be downloaded in the attachments section of this Article (PDF).