BOS:311

I am a parent of a student at JFK Elementary School, and I am deeply concerned about the condition of our school playground. The current playground is more than 25 years old and was never designed to accommodate the number of young children who now use it, including 3- and 4-year-olds in the K0 and K1 classrooms. JFK has also recently become an inclusion school, yet the playground is not fully accessible or developmentally appropriate for many of our students. As a parent, it is alarming to know that needles have been found in the woodchips where children play and that portions of the aging play structure are unstable and potentially unsafe. There are gaps in bridge sections, deteriorating equipment, and other hazards that pose real safety risks for young children. Families are increasingly concerned that it is only a matter of time before a child is seriously injured. Our children deserve a safe, inclusive, and age-appropriate playground that supports their learning, development, and well-being. I respectfully urge the City of Boston and Boston Public Schools to prioritize funding for the replacement of the JFK Elementary playground as soon as possible. This is a community-wide concern affecting hundreds of students and families, and we need prompt action to ensure that all children at JFK have a safe place to play.

Catch basin blocked with weeds and debris⁠