Every Wissahickon School District elementary school now has a fully accessible playground.

The district cut the ribbon on a new inclusive playground at Lower Gwynedd Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 1, completing a multi-year effort to upgrade play spaces at all four of its elementary schools. A $125,000 state grant funded the project, secured with support from state Sen. Maria Collett, state Reps. Liz Hanbidge, Matthew D. Bradford and state Rep. Cerrato.

Students, district staff, legislators and community members gathered for the celebration, The Reporter reported. Collett, Hanbidge and a representative for Bradford attended, along with school board president Amy Ginsburg.

The Lower Gwynedd Home & School Association (HSA), led by president Jane King and secretary Mollie Recenes, raised additional funds for playground features chosen by Lower Gwynedd Elementary students. The Reporter reported three student-selected features were added. The district thanked the HSA and its leadership in a social media post after the event, according to WissNow.

"This new playground is a wonderful addition to Lower Gwynedd Elementary School and an investment in the experiences our students have each day," Superintendent Mwenyewe Dawan said. "… We are deeply grateful to our state legislators, the Lower Gwynedd Home & School Association, and everyone who supported this project. Their partnership helped create a space our students will be able to enjoy for years to come."

Collett said in a social media post that she was proud to support the grant funding and a state budget that mandates at least 30 minutes of daily recess for elementary students across Pennsylvania. She called unstructured playtime essential for healthy, focused learners.

The playground at Lower Gwynedd is the final piece of a district-wide accessibility push. The district confirmed all four elementary playgrounds have been renovated but has not released timelines or costs for the earlier three upgrades.

No source has identified which specific state grant program provided the $125,000 or described the playground's accessibility features in detail.

Pennsylvania's new state budget requires at least 30 minutes of recess each day for elementary students statewide.