Vol. IV No. 1 - Malcolm Shabazz City High School, Madison WI

Big dream comes trueThe Elvehjem schoolcommunityhad a bigdream – create the first“boundless”playground inWisconsin by August8, 2008. There was justone catch. Theplayground, designedunder a strict nationalcertification programthat requires its playstructures areaccessible to allchildren, cost over$200,000.Initially, advocates hoped to be selected from a nationwide application process to receivethe sole playground that would be awarded, but their efforts fell short.Undaunted, the group last fall began a series of family-friendly fundraisers, and soughtout grants and contributions from local businesses. With $55,000 from the MadisonCommunity Foundation, $20,000 from the Sara Lee Foundation and $10,000 from theChristopher and Dana Reeves Foundation the dream moved closer to reality.As promised, on 8-8-08 groundbreaking took place adjacent to the current Elvehjemplayground and within a few days the new apparatus was in place. The ribbon-cuttingdedication of the playground will take place on Friday, September 5.Kelli Betsinger, one of the Boundless Playground Committee co-chairs, said it best, “Thisproject serves as a lesson to our children that things don’t always come easy, but withdetermination and a belief in your work, anything is possible.”