Playground equipment challenges students' abilities

Intermountain Catholic

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St. Vincent de Paul School students enjoy the new Kompan Play Structure by scaling across the rows of climbing opportunities, balancing, problem solving, and communicating with one another as they become physically fit.IC photo courtesy of Carol Barman

SALT LAKE CITY — In an effort to address the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic, St. Vincent de Paul School, Salt Lake City, installed a Kompan Play Structure.

"Students are challenged mentally and physically on the new equipment," said Carol Barman, St. Vincent School advancement director. "We were striving to provide physical activity options for our students to engage in during recess, as well as before and after school.

"The St. Vincent administration realized it was important as a school to provide the necessary means for its students to increase their physical activity, and the new playground equipment would help," said Barman. "Studies have shown exercise helps in a student’s overall well being, concentration, and stress reduction."

Barman said the playground renovation was made possible through a grant from the R. Harold Burton Foundation. In addition, proceeds from the school’s giftwrap fund raiser were used to pay the balance on the new equipment.

The majority of the school’s old playground equipment dated back 40 years and last year the swing hinges broke said Barman. As the school began looking into replacing the swings, they found it necessary to update their playground equipment to make it safe and provide structures that allowed students to be more active. The school formed an ad-hoc committee of parents and teachers, then started researching information about different play structures.

"Our needs were met with the Kompan Play Structure because it helps develop gross motor skills, flexibility, encourages socialization, and provides students with increased exercise options," said Barman. "The renovation process began in June when the surface area was measured for the new equipment and the 40-year old spider structure and swings were torn down."

Barman said St. Vincent is committed to keeping the students physically active, thus helping curb the childhood obesity epidemic. The National Center for Health Statistics reports the percentage of elementary-age children who are considered obese has doubled since 1980. Obesity is more than just a cosmetic concern. Short- and long-term physical and psychological concerns can result from childhood obesity.