Zion Christian Preschool and Kindergarten given grant for new playground

Zion Christian Preschool and Kindergarten has been given a $29,000 grant for a new playground.

The grant was obtained from the San Diego County Childcare Provider Program, which is affiliated with the YMCA organization.

"This will give us an additional playground," said Zion Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten Director Lana Janey.

Zion's facilities include both the preschool and Kindergarten, and Zion Christian Learning Center for children in first through twelfth grade. Zion Christian Learning Center also received a grant, and will be adding swings and a climbing structure to their playground.

Janey applied for the grant in September. "It was actually more than what I asked. I thought the most I would get was $20,000, so I was surprised by the amount," she said.

The application was submitted on-line. "They give the money based on how many children you are licensed for," Janey said.

Zion Lutheran is licensed for 124 children. Because the children attend in shifts the school currently has 128 children enrolled although no more than 80 are on the premises at one time.

The grant was for outdoor capital improvements. "We didn't have to specify anything," Janey said.

The staff chose to use the funding for the playground. "That's where we had the most need and that's where we decided to spend the money," she said.

The preschool and kindergarten area currently has a small playground with a traditional play structure, a sandbox, and a concrete area to ride tricycles. The larger area will allow more use and not require students to take turns using the playground. "Kids will be outside for a longer break," Janey said.

The area where the playground will be built is currently an open field and encompasses about 10,000 square feet.

The new playground will include a loose parts area, swings, a dry riverbed, a sandbox and water trough, a gazebo with a stage and log seating for outdoor circle activities, a slide built into a hill, climbing logs, fruit trees, a garden, a bike path, and a parking garage for the bicycles.

The center or a contractor will plant trees and shrubs which are native to California and have the potential to attract local birds, butterflies, and other wildlife and which will have low irrigation costs. Janey is hoping to have kumquat trees, which would provide enough fruit for many students to pick.

Rusty Keeler has provided a design of the new playscape. "The first thing we did was to hire the playground designer," Janey said.

The $29,000 grant will not cover the entire playground project. "We might have to do it in phases," Janey said.

Janey will be seeking other grants and will also be communicating with Fallbrook businesses for potential donations. Janey will be pursuing a grant for the design of the garden.

"I'm getting bids on the different elements of the playground," Janey said. "We hope to start on it this summer when the kids are out in June."