KidsRock playground lands $38,000

A PLAYGROUND in Jamestown landed $38,000 in funding from the R.I. Dept. of Environmental Management.  From left, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee, R.I. Rep. Deborah Ruggiero, Lawn Avenue School Principal Kathy Almanzor and Clayton Carlisle of the kidsROCK fundraising committee. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE
A PLAYGROUND in Jamestown landed $38,000 in funding from the R.I. Dept. of Environmental Management. From left, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee, R.I. Rep. Deborah Ruggiero, Lawn Avenue School Principal Kathy Almanzor and Clayton Carlisle of the kidsROCK fundraising committee. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND STATE HOUSE

PROVIDENCE – A Jamestown effort to build a rock-climbing playground got a monetary boost from the R.I. Dept. of Environmental Management with the award of a $38,000 project grant, the city announced Friday, April 13.

The grant represents half of the cost of kidsRock, which will consist of at least two large, man-made boulders with connecting ropes and is targeted at middle school children.

The playground will be located behind the Lawn Avenue School, where middle schoolers will utilize the facility during school hours. The climbing rocks will be open to the public the rest of the time.

“This is going to be an amazing recreation resource for kids in Jamestown, especially older kids who’ve outgrown monkey bars and swings, but still need the opportunity to move around,” said R.I. Rep. Deborah Ruggiero, D- Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown.

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“This project will give them a unique and really fun place to hang out and get some exercise with their friends, and hopefully help them maintain healthy recreation habits as they grow up,” she added.

The kidsRock grant was one of 35 local recreation grants DEM and Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee announced earlier this month.

Planners are required to raise enough money to match the state grant. KidsRock organizers have already raised roughly $31,000 and need about $7,000 more to meet their goals.

If all goes as planned, the playground could begin construction in July, according to a release.

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