Recess Swings into Action

With its eye-catching 23-foot high climbing structure and features encouraging spinning, swinging, sliding, climbing, balancing, and brachiating, the new Lower School playground has put the playground back at the center of Fay’s Lower School recess. As the previous playground appealed primarily to third and fourth graders, Head of Lower School Kaitlyn Cronin intentionally chose elements for the new playground to broaden its interest to include the division’s oldest students. 

The benefits of active play at recess are well established. Studies have shown that recess time yields cognitive benefits, increasing students’ memory and ability to focus in class. Active free play also has social-emotional benefits, allowing students to practice creative problem-solving, conflict resolution, negotiation, and leadership skills. While most U.S. Schools average 25 minutes of recess per day, Fay’s Lower School students benefit from two 15-20 minute recesses during the academic day, and the new playground offers students a variety of games, activities, and challenges to pursue.

The playground’s colorful new structures are designed and constructed by German manufacturer Berliner, which specializes in rope play equipment. With support from the Parents’ Association, the Grandparents' Fund, and several generous Fay families, the project created two new playspaces behind the Picardi Art Center. A large rope climbing structure topped with a fort forms the centerpiece of the new playground, and students can access the feature by crossing a rope bridge, climbing a rock wall, or navigating the ropes. The climbing structure is naturally self-limiting. Kids pursue the level of challenge they are ready for, and they get the satisfaction of summiting to the fort when their developmental skills and desire for challenge come together to make it possible. Two sliding poles and a large tube slide give students options for the way down. Lower School students quickly discovered that riding down the slide on their blazers adds some extra speed! A spinning rope feature and another rope element surrounding a trampoline encourage active and cooperative play. Nearby, three more play features allow kids to use traditional swings, nest swings where one or two children sit on the webbing while friends push, and a curving balance beam. “We really tried to choose elements that would allow them to swing for proprioception and also encourage them to climb for upper body strength,” says Kaitlyn. A soft rubberized surface surrounds the two playground areas, keeping the play areas clean and safe. Adding four square, a nearby gaga pit, and the grassy field for blazer vs. non-blazer soccer matches gives Lower School students many options for active playtime. 

The new playground has been a big hit with students, and Kaitlyn has already noticed the positive impact that it is having on student activity levels during recess. “Kids are running around and doing a lot of different activities during recess,” she says. “These kids still need a lot of run around time, and it’s great that they are doing it without a coach or teacher telling them what to do. They are just having fun and figuring out on their own.”