Let Them Play: Building Inclusive Playgrounds, Building Community

Imagine a child who has never been able to climb, swing, or spin alongside their friends – who watches play from the sidelines because the playground isn’t built for them. At St. Anthony and St. Paul Schools, two of our smallest congregated setting schools with the highest-need students, play takes on an even deeper meaning. A playground is not just a place of fun, it is a place of therapy, joy, and belonging.

Each playground carries a cost of $350,000 per site. At first glance, that figure may seem daunting. But these playgrounds are not simply expenses – they are investments in children, families, and our Catholic community’s shared values.

For the students who attend St. Anthony and St. Paul, sensory-rich playgrounds are lifelines. They provide safe spaces for therapy, motor skills development, and joyful play. For many children, this is where they will first learn to take turns, share laughter, and discover independence.

The impact extends far beyond these schoolyards. These playgrounds bring classroom relief across our 120 schools. By supporting the complex needs of our most vulnerable students with appropriate play spaces, we create stronger, calmer learning environments throughout the district. Every school family benefits when our highest-need students are given the supports they deserve.

As a Catholic community, we are called to come together – especially for our smallest schools, serving children with the greatest needs. By uniting behind Let Them Play, we build not only playgrounds, but also a living legacy of compassion, dignity, and joy for generations to come.