Hilltop builds new, natural playground

Sparta — When Hilltop Country Day School’s playground showed signs of aging a group of parents and teachers came together to do some homework and take a closer look at how children play. They quickly noted that on any given day a handful of students could be found enjoying a ride on the large swing set. However, the majority of elementary students could be found having a meeting at a large boulder, some looked for trails of ants. Still others ran, jumped and hopped over imaginary rivers of lava. With these observations in hand the planning for a natural play space began. Parents initiated a series of fund-raising projects to offset the cost of a new playground and the project is underway and due to be completed before the start of the school year. Hilltop has created a natural play space in its own backyard complete with a nature path, a “campfire” circle, carefully placed boulders, log benches and paired that with a balance of familiar play equipment for both primary and elementary students. To learn more about Hilltop Country Day School, visit www.hilltopcds.org.