Kenwood Parents Raising Money for New Playground

A group of parents are working to raise $100,000 to replace the school's playground equipment, drainage system and field. 

The Parent Teacher Association's playground committee stepped up its efforts last year to revamp the playground. The committee has been fundraising, soliciting sponsorships, writing grants and researching equipment and construction companies. 

PTA member Caroline Dylewski said the playground at Kenwood is aging — paint is chipping, equipment is missing, and the field often floods when it rains because of poor drainage. She said the playground structure is 17 years old.

The initiative is a grassroots effort, Dylewski said, and parents aren't anticipating any funds from the school district.

"We’re basically just looking for ways to raise money," she said. "The district is struggling for funds, just like most public schools."

The PTA hopes to revamp the field as early as this spring, parent Gerald Maliszewski said. Flooding issues at the field make it unusable for students and athletic teams.

"You couldn’t possibly use it, you can’t even use it for football, it's just that bad," he said. "We want to improve it for everybody."

Maliszewski said he hopes to call in volunteers this spring to cut the infield grass, rake up the dirt and install crushed limestone. He is also working with a construction company to install two catch basins on the field. The field construction will cost an estimated $4,000-$5,000, he said.

Since Kenwood is the only playground on the south side of Clawson, parents say they want to create a playground the whole community can enjoy.

"We need one small success in order to build on top of that," Maliszewski said.

Bottle Drive

The Kenwood PTA has already hosted several fundraisers this year, and on Monday, it plans a bottle drive at the school.

Parents will be outside collecting cans and bottles before and after school. School starts at 8:15 a.m and ends at 3:07 p.m., and the general public is welcome to drop off cans and bottles.