Pequannock schools seek donors after grant denial for inclusive North Boulevard preschool playground

Michael Portis, superintendent of the Pequannock Township School District, said the district is working to raise money to build a preschool and inclusive playground at North Boulevard Elementary School and that funding must come before construction. “We’re working on, the construction, well really first the funding, and then construction of a preschool and inclusive playground, which would be right here at North Boulevard,” Portis said on a district podcast.

The playground is intended to fill an equipment and design gap for 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds and to serve children with a range of abilities, district leaders said. Helena Bronco, director of student services for pre‑K through grade 5, said teachers and special‑education staff helped select equipment and features to support sensory, communication and adaptive needs. “This playground is gonna offer that opportunity for all students,” Bronco said.

Principal Alyssa Schollieri said the idea began when community members asked the district to create a preschool play space tailored to younger children. Staff and community volunteers reviewed catalogs, produced renderings and collected quotes; Schollieri said the new playground would move from the current small fenced area to the larger courtyard. “This would be in the courtyard area where right now that there's a fence,” she said, describing a plan to extend a poured‑rubber safety surface across the courtyard to accommodate age‑appropriate equipment.

District officials said the design will align with the school’s play‑based curriculum (Tools of the Mind) and create opportunities for gross motor development, social skills and independent play. Bronco and Schollieri emphasized that unstructured, developmentally appropriate play can build spatial awareness, turn‑taking and other early learning skills.

Portis said the district has received pricing that underscores the project’s cost. He said one equipment quote was about $125,000 and that a separate quote for the safety surface was of a similar size, noting the district’s recent grant application was not funded. “When we first got the quote and I saw the quote was like $125,000,” Portis said. Officials said the township and district are pursuing other grants and asking potential donors and community groups to help cover the expense.

Administrators said benches will be added outside the fenced play area so parents can supervise while allowing children space to play and learn independence. School leaders framed the playground as a community asset that could also attract families from nearby towns and reduce isolation for parents of children with special needs.

Portis closed the podcast by thanking community members, staff and listeners, and encouraged anyone interested in supporting the project to reach out to the district. The district said next steps include continued fundraising, finalizing designs and seeking additional grant opportunities.