EDGEWATER — Despite an early morning downpour and lingering daytime mist, Discover Financial volunteers, community members, parents and staff were all out Friday afternoon at Hayt Elementary School in Edgewater to completely overhaul the school's playground with much-needed upgrades.
Earlier this summer, the school applied for and won a KaBOOM! playground makeover grant worth over $120,000 — about $115,00 of which Discover provided.
Two hundred Discover and KaBOOM! volunteers worked alongside about 75 community members starting at 9 a.m. Friday morning to transform the playground into a brand new recreational area, now more accessible for students with disabilities.
Principal Daniel Gomez said Friday afternoon he was grateful to the financial organization and KaBOOM, as well as all the parents and staff who volunteered their time in bringing the project to life.
"It's been a great community-building activity," he said.
He said his students were "extremely excited" and "thankful" for the improved play space.
Many of them could be seen peering out their classroom windows, mesmerized by the bustling building happening right outside their door.
Curioius students could be seen watching builders transform their playground from their classroom windows. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]
Bridget Harris, whose 11-year-old son has attended Hayt since kindergarten, said the school is "truly blessed" for the opportunity to help better the lives of the neighborhood's youths.
She said her son came with her to do prep work earlier in the week and felt a sense of pride being a part of the process.
Though Edgewater resident and Discover employee Jeff Clennon has been involved in KaBOOM! builds before, he said he too felt proud to be working on the project now in his own backyard.
Caroline O'Sullivan, 20, was there Friday lending a hand with fellow elementary education majors from Loyola University. She said Hayt is on her list of schools where she may want to student teach next year.
Volunteers created a new sign that was placed near the school's front facade highlighting many of the countries Hayt's students are from. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]
Though built, the playground won't be available to students until a new coating of rubber turf dries and the completed project is fully inspected.
In about two weeks, Hayt students will be the first to enjoy the equipment after a ribbon cutting ceremony.
"It's encouraging as a resident," Clennon said. "I love Edgewater Glen and Edgewater and Chicago itself, so it's nice to see these things keep going forward."
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