The plan to redo the playground began in 2022. That’s when teacher Betsy Julien pointed out the problems with the play area to her fifth- and sixth-grade students. Her son Luke, then a third-grader, uses a wheelchair too. Julien wanted to get the school an accessible swing and merry-go-round. She asked her students if they wanted to help raise money to pay for the equipment. 

The kids loved the idea. They didn’t think it was right that students with disabilities were left out during recess. 

“It wasn’t fair that they didn’t get to have fun with all the other kids,” explains Kari’Yanna Harrison.

The students wanted to take the idea a step further. Why not raise enough money to transform the entire playground? They knew it wouldn’t be easy. But they were up for the challenge.

The plan to change the playground began in 2022. Teacher Betsy Julien pointed out the playground’s problems to her fifth- and sixth-graders. Her son Luke was a third-grader then. He uses a wheelchair too. Julien wanted to get an accessible swing and merry-go-round. She asked her students if they wanted to help raise money for the equipment.   

The students loved the idea. They thought it was wrong that kids with disabilities were left out during recess. 

“It wasn’t fair that they didn’t get to have fun with all the other kids,” says Kari’Yanna Harrison.

The students wanted to take the idea further. Why not raise enough money to transform the entire playground? It wouldn’t be easy. But they were up for the challenge.

The students set a goal of raising $300,000. They called people and businesses to ask for donations. They held bake sales and coin drives. And they created flyers to hand out around town.

All that hard work paid off. The students raised $300,000 in just 45 days. But they didn’t stop there. As they shared their story, more and more people wanted to help. So the kids bumped up their fundraising goal. In less than two years, they were able to raise $1 million! 

Meanwhile, John and his classmates got to work designing the playground. They took a field trip to the factory where the equipment was made. The kids got to choose the pieces and decide how the playground would look. They even picked the colors.

The students set a goal. They wanted to raise $300,000. They called people and businesses to ask for donations. They held bake sales and coin drives. And they created flyers to hand out around town.

All that hard work paid off. The students raised $300,000. It took just 45 days. But they didn’t stop there. As they shared their story, more people wanted to help. So the kids bumped up their goal. They were able to raise $1 million! It took less than two years. 

Meanwhile, John and his classmates helped design the playground. They took a trip to the factory where the equipment was made. The kids got to choose the pieces. They decided how the playground would look. They even picked the colors.

The new playground was completed last summer. It features a special swing where students of all abilities can sit together. There are also an accessible merry-go-round, glider, and more. And the wood chips that filled the old play area? They’ve been replaced by a smooth rubber surface.

John loves the new playground.

“It’s just so fulfilling to see how much of an effect this has had on everyone,” he says.

John and his classmates are now in middle school. They plan to use some of the money they raised to create an accessible play area there too. They also want to bring accessible playgrounds to other schools in Minnesota. In the meantime, they will keep telling people how important it is to be inclusive. 

“When I see kids with different abilities playing together, it makes me happy,” says Caleigh Brace. 

The new playground was finished last summer. It has a special swing. Students of all abilities can sit there. There are also an accessible merry-go-round and glider. And the wood chips in the old play area? They’ve been replaced by a smooth rubber surface.

John loves the new playground.

“It’s just so fulfilling to see how much of an effect this has had on everyone,” he says.

John and his classmates are now in middle school. They want to create an accessible play area there too. To do so, they plan to use some of the money they raised. They also want to bring accessible playgrounds to other Minnesota schools. In the meantime, they will keep sharing how important it is to be inclusive. 

“When I see kids with different abilities playing together, it makes me happy,” says Caleigh Brace.