Bungay School Playground Unveiled In Seymour

Bungay School Principal Mary Sue Feige speaks from the podium during a dedication ceremony for her school’s new playground.

SEYMOUR — The Bungay School community unveiled a new playground during a ceremony May 23.

The old playground had fallen into disrepair, school Superintendent Michael Wilson said.

The ceremony was held indoors due to rain.

Ed Strumello, Bungay’s former principal and current vice chairman of the Board of Education, said the old playground was more than 25 years old.

There was some damage to slides and swings had to be replaced over the years to make it handicapped accessible, but Strumello said the new playground designed by GameTime, an Alabama firm, is fully in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Wilson said funds from the Board of Education, the town and private donations paid for the playground. 

Principal Mary Sue Feige said GameTime gave the school district matching grants, as well.

The town’s public works department performed the excavation needed to make way for the new playground. Wilson said it has the same specifications as Chatfield-LoPresti Elementary School’s.

During the ceremony, fourth and fifth graders in the Bungay School choir sang The Star Spangled Banner,” Bungay Will Shine” and Count on Me” under the direction of music teacher Joanna Dunne.

First Selectman Kurt Miller also attended the ceremony.

This was on the radar for a while,” he said of the playground. It’s not only a benefit to the kids at Bungay School every day, it’s also for the 300 kids who participate in summer camp every year.”

Jennifer Magri, chairwoman of the Board of Education, called the new playground a fantastic testament for the town and Board of Education working together.”

Hopefully the sun will shine tomorrow and our children will be making new friends, challenging each other on the playground and having fun,” she said.

Feige said Bungay had to close the old playground at the end of last school year and recalled sending out email blasts to parents about the opening of the new playground in December.

It was like a Christmas present,” Feige said. It’s definitely a dream come true.”

Among those also receiving special thanks for the playground: Associate Superintendent Vonda Tencza, Director of Facilities Tim Connors, the Bungay School PTA, the Seymour Lions Club, Edmund Farmer, vice president of product development for Thule Group; Seymour Parks and Recreation, the school custodial staff, Seymour High School students and Bungay staff, students and families.

This computer rendering shows the layout of Bungay School’s new playground, designed by GameTime, an Alabama firm (note: it was pouring, we didn’t get a photo!).

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