Cora Kelly Playground Nears Completion

The playground at Cora Kelly School on Commonwealth Avenue is expected to be ready for play this month. 

It’s been a long time coming.

The school community began site prep for the new playground in late 2011 and $2,500 from Mott's and NFL PLAY 60 through the KaBOOM! Play Day competition. The school’s PTA also raised more than $10,200 to replace what then was an outdated play area designed for physical education drills instead of play.

The project then stalled after the new playground was initially constructed off school grounds in Four Mile Run Park, according to The Arlandrian.

Alexandria City Council allocated $110,000 to the school in December 2012 for exterior play areas to complete construction. Work got underway once the weather warmed up and now, finally, preparations are underway to open the playground sometime before the end of June.

City staff said Sunday at the Arlandria Community Open House that the playground was preparing to go through final inspections this week.

A staff member in Cora Kelly’s main office said Tuesday that the playground would not be open until late June, just before school lets out for summer.

Much of the area remained fenced off Tuesday. Two swing sets on either side of a play area that includes elaborate climbing apparatuses remained without swings.

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