To describe the Iola Preschool playground as spartan may be kind.
Situated in the fenced-in area behind the preschool is a dilapidated swing set, with only one swing available for older kids and one swing for toddlers.
Nearby is a more elaborate playset, with a climbing area that serves as a hub for a small number of slides.
While both are greatly appreciated by preschool staff and students, it’s apparent that more is needed.
“We average 50 kids playing out here every day,” said Christina Turner, early childhood special ed instructor. “That’s a lot of kids for what we have.”
And because the preschool has no Parent Teacher Organization — a fundraising arm utilized by local elementary schools — garnering funds to expand the play area is hard to come by.
Help is on the way.
Turner said a large tugboat will be added, a wooden structure similar to the play forts added to Iola’s Jefferson, Lincoln and McKinley elementary schools in Iola. The primary difference for the preschool’s structure is that it’s a single level and fully accessible to children with disabilities.
And on Saturday, Iolans Mike and Nancy Ford will sell pieces of their “word art” at the preschool at 819 Kansas Dr., with a portion of the proceeds going to the school’s playground fund.
The Fords run Creative Grafix, using pictures of letters — or objects that look like letters — to spell out framed words.
“They really have some nice merchandise,” Turner said.
The Fords will be set up from 1 to 4 p.m.
Iola Preschool is administered by Head Start, under the Southeast Kansas Community Action Program umbrella, where funds are scarce enough that providing basic instruction and amenities for the preschoolers can be a chore.
“We just figured this would be a neat way to help,” Turner said.
Monetary donations to the playground fund also will be accepted for those unable to attend Saturday’s sale. Send checks to Iola Preschool c/o Playground Fund, 819 Kansas Dr., Iola, KS 66749.
