New playground opens at John M. Marshall Elementary; aquatic center to be named for longtime board member

John M. Marshall Elementary School, which enrolls 506 students, opened a new playground on June 4 with a ribbon-cutting led by a group of fifth graders.

A fifth grader who helped cut the ribbon told LTV, "This is one of the best playgrounds I've ever been on. Probably the best." School officials said the project cost a little over $1.4 million and came in under budget by about $25,000. The playground is open to families after school hours end at 6:00 p.m. and on weekends.

Separately, the district announced that the planned aquatic center on the high school campus, with funding recently approved by a community vote, will be named in honor of John Ryan Senior, a 91-year-old longtime school board member and regional advocate for water safety. The naming was announced at his final board meeting.

Next steps: Playground is available for public use within the posted hours; the aquatic center naming will be implemented as the project moves forward under the district's schedule.