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Middleburgh Community Celebrates Opening of New Playground

Wide view of an accessible playground with a poured-in-place rubber safety surface in shades of tan and brown. The playground features a large multi-level play structure with ramps, elevated platforms, tunnel slides, straight slides and a rope climbing bridge beneath green shade roofs. In the foreground are molded bucket-style spinner seats mounted on a rotating play element and a large circular spinning platform with a bowl seat. A freestanding gray climbing wall with green and tan handholds stands at right, while swing frames, shade canopies and additional play features are visible throughout the play area. Trees and an overcast sky form the backdrop.The slides are big; inside, they are dark. In a word, the slides are COOL!

A little light drizzle did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of Middleburgh Elementary students as they raced onto a newly constructed playground after a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Sept. 17, 2025.

A child sits in a light green spinning playground bowl on a large round play feature. A playground with swings, trees and other visitors appears in the background under cloudy skies.It’s no wonder the big slides are a hit; students were consulted as part of the planning process for the playground.

Prior to helping students cut the ribbon, Superintendent Mark Place noted that community input was vital to making the project such a success. Students were asked about which features they would like to have.

School Business Administrator Robyn Bhend, Superintendent Mark Place, Elementary School Principal Dr. Nicholas Comproski; BOE President Pamela Standhart, and BOE Vice President Becky Binder stand in front of the newly opened playground during a ribbon-cutting event. “Thanks to the staff who have supported the work that we’ve done,” said Place to a crowd assembled for the ribbon cutting. “But most importantly, thanks to the students, who were the ones who put forward what they wanted on the playground. Back in May of 2025, we asked students to tell us what they wanted, and those decisions are exactly what we got here.

He continued, “The first thing and most important request was the big slides.”

Middleburgh superintendent Mark Place and three children participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a playground, holding ceremonial scissors to cut a yellow ribbon. The new playground likely contains even more than the students dreamed of with two types of zip lines, a climbing wall, rotating teacups, musical chimes, a modern seesaw, several types of swings and dozens of other playful elements.

Although not immediately visible to the naked eye, the new playground has features that will ensure it can bring joy to the entire community.  

When asked about the design, Stella Ritter, the Middleburgh Director of Pupil Services was beaming.

A playground activity panel displaying a diagram of the solar system is viewed through railings on a play structure. The panel labels the sun and planets, including Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.“This brand new beautiful playground was planned with accessibility in mind,” she said. Students with special needs are able to enjoy having fun and be a kid just like everybody else.”

Middleburgh School Business Administrator Robyn Bhend said they tried to think of everything.

A child sits on zip line at a playground, holding the rope with both hands. Trees and grassy fields are visible in the background beneath an overcast sky.“The two different zip lines accommodate children at different ages. In fact, there are zones geared toward different stages of child development,” she said. “The rubber surfacing gets us away from using wood chips-it’s smooth and good for student safety.”

The many students experiencing the playground for their first time were much more interested in testing it out than talking about it, but fourth grade student Mary M. stopped for a moment and offered to show how the teacups rotate both individually and as a group. “And, there is a zip line, a tire swing, four slides and a musical thing,” she noted before returning to play.

Preston W., a first-grade student was asked what was the best thing on the new playground.

A child in a bright orange T-shirt stands at the top of a gray playground climbing structure with green and tan handholds, raising one hand overhead. The photo is taken from below against a cloudy gray sky.“Everything,” he said before speeding off to join his friends

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of a portion of a 2024 capital project designed to provide students with physical activity, social interaction and imaginative play for years to come.