• • Lakefield Standard

A federal grant is paving the way for a new playground when Jackson’s free Head Start preschool and family development program for low-income families moves its classroom from the Jackson Armory to the Western Community Action office in the near future.

The Head Start/Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play recently selected the Western Community Action Head Start classroom in Jackson for a $5,000 grant to help them develop a new outdoor play space.

“Unfortunately children today spend less time playing outdoors than any previous generation,” said HS/BS National Center Director Karin H. Spencer. “We want to help the Head Start staff discover the benefits of outdoor play across developmental domains and learn about the features of high quality outdoor play spaces that promote movement opportunities for children of all ability levels.”

Through the award, HS/BS staff will also provide on-site training for Head Start’s teachers about the value of physical activity and outdoor play and ways they can encourage that with children and families.

Jackson’s Head Start program is currently in the process of remodeling and relocating and is working to develop a “natural” playground that will encourage children’s curiosity and creativity and will incorporate the natural textures, shapes, spaces, levels, smells and feels that occur in nature.

The existing area already has some planting beds, grass and beautiful trees, said Head Start Director Gail Goltz. It needs pruning and fencing, and staff will clear out and reconfigure some of the planting areas so that the children, including those with special needs, can use them.

Gardening and caring for plants offers the possibility of some wonderful intergenerational opportunities as well, she said. For play, Head Start will incorporate natural areas for climbing, balancing activities and slides. The site will include a swing, a paved trail for tricycles, tables and benches, sand and water play and even music.

“We appreciate Head Start/Body Start for this funding to help us evaluate our play space needs and to design and construct a playground as we move to our new Head Start classroom at 115 South Highway in Jackson,” Goltz said.

Head Start is not yet sure of a moving date to the new classroom site and continues to be located at the Jackson Armory until then.