Operation New Playground is underway! It will be occurring in two phases. Phase 1 was completed summer 2021. Soley-funded by DMS, Phase 1 involved excavating to level the playground, adding a Redi-Rock wall and a new black chain link vinyl fence.
Phase 2, our current and final phase includes purchasing and installing new playground equipment to enhance our outdoor learning environment. Our new goal is to raise $70,000 through private donors and grants.
Phase 1: Excavation & Retaining Wall
We are excited to share that we have completed Phase 1 of Operation New Playground. Over the summer the playground was excavated to level the play area to be ADA compliant. McClain Fencing & Excavating added a beautiful Redi-Rock retaining wall along with a new vinyl black chain link fence with safety gates. With the new layout we were able to relocate the toddler area closer to the school making it much more convenient for our youngest friends.
Phase 2: Playground Equipment
We are now ready to begin Phase 2 – new playground equipment!
The DMS Playground Committee has begun applying for grants and working with community members and organizations to secure funding for safe, new playground equipment.
Our new fundraising goal is $70,000! To date we have raised almost $35,000 through private donations, fundraiser events and grants! This has allowed us to place an initial order for playground equipment including our new climb & discover cave, mushroom tunnel, zig-zag balance beam, stepping mushrooms, investigate & discovery table and mud sinks. With our recently awarded DRA grant we have purchased outdoor musical instruments including a set of in-ground drums and two in-ground xylophone pieces, as well as a 13′ cantilever sun shade with help from Birch Heating & Cooling.
The remaining fundraising of $25,000 will go towards a larger play structure which will have slides and additional climbing components.
Please help us in thanking our current sponsors
Individuals
- Bob & Cindy Brown
- Michael & Molly Dalton
- Charles & Jean Daoud
- Dustin & Annie Farber
- John & Eleanor Freund
- Connie Hamann
- Luke & Dana Hamann
- Amanda Harvey
- Kathy Haverland
- Brian Herther
- Craig & Patty Herther
- Thomas & Carla Kemp
- Richard & Sandra Kirkendall
- Tom Knudtson
- Jake & Christina Moore
- Daniel & Gabriella Orr
- Brian & Allison Patnaude
- Kurtis & Lauren Peterson
- Brady & Nicole Powers
- Nick Shulz & Sara Goranson
- Patrick & Charleen Shea
- Brandon & Gabriela Vega Bauerly
Organizations & Businesses
- Birch Heating & Cooling
- Dubuque Bank & Trust
- Dubuque Racing Association
- Elevate
- Freddy’s Dine-Out Night
- Gantz Foundation Charitable Trust
- Great Give Day 2021
- Great River Oral Surgery
- Hartig Family Foundation
- MidWestOne Bank
- Panera Dine-Out Night
- Premier Bank
- Rauen Foundation
- Shepard Hamann Memorial Fund
We are a non-profit with tax exempt status, a copy of our 501c3 is available upon request.
For any playground questions or donation inquiries, please contact the playground committee chair, Nicole Powers at nicole.powers86@gmail.com.
