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The George Mason ES playground is a little ratty these days
04/24/2017 6:15 AM by John M
One of the great things of being the parent of a young child up here is that there are so many playgrounds, some public and some at the public schools.
The George Mason Elementary School playground is one of the larger ones, with a lot of equipment. Totally lacking shade on a hot day, but a good playground.
Right now, though, it’s gotten kind of ratty. One swing is busted, and the safety belt on one of the special swings is not usable. More than one not-that-recent FUCK YOU tags. One of the climbing tubes has a large hole melted from a fire back in 2015. And the climbing circle ladder thing is dangerously loose.
Somebody needs to do better.
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Seat belt on swing not usable
Right now, huh? Theres been a burn hole in that climbing tunnel for like 3 years now. No straps on the handicap swings since a week after they were installed. Does the staff not know how to bitch enough til things get fixed or have they given up entirely? My husband has tightened the bolt on that wobbly climbing platform 3 times. The schools handyperson is a slacker because its a super easy fix.This school is honestly why we moved out of church hill. I wasn’t going to rely on that bs "lottery" and possibly have to drive my kid across town daily to attend a decent school.
Oh and no trash cans so its a dumping ground. And then in the summer it’s a humping ground for teenagers in heat.. Like finding used condoms where you kids play! Go to GM!!Plus, put up a damned umbrella or something.
Who can we call to voice our concerns about the condition of these playgrounds? Who are the public officials to call?
Graffiti blows but cutting swings is just plain ridiculous, I get teenage angst but come on. How the hell do people even think of this BS?
Ok so how do we help? Who do we contact? My daughter and lot of our friends’ kids use this playground daily. While there some unusable pieces, it’s not as bad as this article suggests. Most of the playground is useable. After experiencing spring break last week, it’s clear to me that someone on staff is picking up trash there because the trash grew exponentially during that week. I can only imagine what it will look like over the summer. Can we get a group of parents together to go talk to the Principal? Is that the right person? Let’s be solutions- oriented here and not just complain.
This is hard to combat when it’s not simple maintenance. It’s people using it as a punching bag. They’ll physically break something for relief. Saw a teenager destroy his own fence the other day. Slat by slat, because he was upset.
With the younger ones it’s out of boredom and not knowing any better.
I’ve tried to understand this phenomenon at Gillies creek over the years. Kids love climbing on dirt jumps. The parents aren’t there and if we don’t give direction, occupy their time and actively police everything would be destroyed. It’s never ending.
They’ll always be that day where a tool is broken in half or jump is hacked up. I try to be the best ambassador possible but this issue really starts at home.
That’s horrible. I used to go to that school years ago. It would be nice if the community can rally together and adopt the playground or perhaps the school’s PTA. Do complain about it. Do something about it. If we lived in that area, we would.
The PTA President would be another good contact. The PTA could help us coordinate a fund raising drive. Planting a few shade trees would also be an easy solution.
Great idea Tricia! Is there a PTA for each school or just one for the city? I’ve been seeing posts about an RVA PTA, which made me think there was only one citywide?
Each school has its own PTA and I don’t think you have to have a student there to join. I am sure the GM PTA would love for people to join or volunteer to help with the playground without joining. It’s a great way to support neighborhood schools. The community volunteer idea is a terrific idea!
Whole damn neighborhood is getting pretty dirty and fucked up. I’m not holding my breath on the city doing anything. They haven’t run a street cleaner over the leigh bridge in years. Fuckin thing is covered in broken glass. City govt has been lousy for decades.
Teenagers are the worst
There is a citywide umbrella for all City PTA’s but your best bet would be to see if there is in fact an active PTA at Mason. If there is not then I would go straight to the State PTA and seek their help. You could also go to the Church Hill Association and make a request for assistance.
I would gladly give to a neighborhood fundraising effort for the playground.
Principal is leaving. I doubt you’ll get any kind of response. The inside of that school will suck the life out of you. It’s a sad place to walk around in. Kids, teachers, everything is in a state of despair.
Richmond Parks & Recreation is responsible for the upkeep.
It would take me all day to list out the problems faced with being GM’s neighbor and the level of frustration is exasperating.
The community would have to rally for trashcans, lights, and general maintenance of that playground!
#13 – Christina…CHA efforts lay South of Broad. A fruitless resource.