<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3rhBZI_1GwgAFFt00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3rhBZI_1GwgAFFt00" width="1147" height="602" >INWOOD—The West Lyon School District has a new playground.The change was necessary to make the playground accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act for all students at recess.Elementary school counselor Leah Twedt said the former surface consisted of pea gravel.“It was impossible for some of our students with physical disabilities to access,” she said. “The equipment was also dated, breaking in spots, and showing signs of clear wear from over the years. The equipment was also not ADA accessible in any areas.”The renovation added pour-in surfacing, making the whole area accessible to all students.The district got all new equipment. The new playground has many exciting features including a turbo totter, which is an ADA accessible modern-day teeter totter that will hold eight kids at a time, new disc swings, which replaced the old tire swings, new regular swings, several slides, climbing areas and ADA accessible ramps.Twedt said one of the new features is more popular than the rest.“A ninja warrior course that kids can use to build strength and have fun while doing it,” she said.The district reached out to several vendors to see who could best meet their needs and there was a clear winner after narrowing it down to two companies — Van Holland Lawn Services of Sioux Center.“It was a one-stop shop and they would be able to do the surfacing, work with a dealer for the equipment, and install the equipment,” Twedt said.The project also received funding through a grant from the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation. The district funded the remainder of the project. The project has finished its first phase in time for the 2026-2027 school year and more improvements are on the way.The plan is to continue surfacing to the south during the summer and add another large piece of equipment.The recent improvements faced some difficulty during summer installation of the first phase but the equipment was still ready in time.“The wet weather in June put them behind last year, so they did not start until mid-July,” Twedt said. “They made a promise that they would be finished by the time our school year began in late August, and they were able to make that happen.”The playground is a big improvement by ADA standards and many exciting features for students, but the most important thing is what students think.Twedt said students’ reception has been very positive.“The students have loved the new playground. They are playing amongst peers, all children are loving the new surfacing, and all are able to play together,” she said. “The students are loving the disc swing. They were pretty disappointed that the tire swings were gone but have still had a great time with the new disc swings.“They are loving the challenge of the ninja warrior course, and there are lots of tag games being played amongst all of the new equipment. Countless kids have said how much they enjoy the new surfacing and how bouncy it is.”The new playground and surfacing have also helped staff during recess.“We aren’t seeing as many kids with queasy stomachs from spinning too much on the tire swings, so that’s a win for our staff,” Twedt said. “Also, we are seeing fewer behavior struggles since the students are busy playing and having fun with the new equipment.”</div></body>

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INWOOD—The West Lyon School District has a new playground. The change was necessary to make the playground accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act for all students at recess. Elementary school counselor Leah Twedt said the former surface consisted of pea gravel. “It was impossible for some of our...

West Lyon gets new playground

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INWOOD—The West Lyon School District has a new playground. The change was necessary to make the playground accessible under the Americans with Disabilities

West Lyon gets new playground

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