South Carolina School for the Deaf builds new, natural playground for students

Joanna Johnson, Spartanburg Herald-Journal
·1 min read

Elementary students at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind waited six months to enjoy a playground built specifically for them.

The wait was finally over on Wednesday.

Students and faculty cut a ribbon to celebrate the newly constructed natural playground near their classrooms. Previously, students had to walk 10 minutes to a playground on the other side of campus, just for recess.

The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new, natural playground on April 10, 2024. The playground helps students with motor skills and is easily accessible from their classes.
The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new, natural playground on April 10, 2024. The playground helps students with motor skills and is easily accessible from their classes.

"A few years ago, a decision was made to consolidate the elementary and middle school for the deaf with the high school for the deaf," said Jolene Madison, the school's president. "The unfortunate consequence was the children were much farther away from a playground."

The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new, natural playground on April 10, 2024. The playground helps students with motor skills and is easily accessible from their classes.
The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new, natural playground on April 10, 2024. The playground helps students with motor skills and is easily accessible from their classes.

Principal Sarah Davis said the playground was beneficial to student motor skills.

"It has allowed our students with their gross motor skills, climbing on rock walls, stumps on the sides, and running up the hill," Davis said. "They've enjoyed the ABCs and feelings wall in Braille, ASL, and in English, so they're exposed to all aspects of communication."

Facilities and activities on the playground include a spinning disk that students can sit on, miniature rope courses, rock walls, slides, and balance beams.

The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new, natural playground on April 10, 2024. The playground helps students with motor skills and is easily accessible from their classes.
The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new, natural playground on April 10, 2024. The playground helps students with motor skills and is easily accessible from their classes.

Students said a curvy slide down a hill was among their playground favorites.

Jillian Bechtel, a first and second-grade teacher, said the playground's location allows easier access for students to work off energy.

The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new, natural playground on April 10, 2024. The playground helps students with motor skills and is easily accessible from their classes.
The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new, natural playground on April 10, 2024. The playground helps students with motor skills and is easily accessible from their classes.

"If they have a lot of energy, we can just go outside and play," Bechtel said. "With the ABC's and feelings wall, it allows us to have more activities out here and have some classes outside. I know the third graders aren't ready to go to middle school because they want to keep enjoying the playground, but they all love it so much."

Joanna Johnson covers community news and education for the Herald-Journal. Reach her via email at jjohnson@shj.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: SC School for the Deaf celebrates new playground, access for students