Four years ago, a small group of Lafayette Elementary School parents decided it was time for a major upgrade to Lafayette's aging two-acre asphalt playground.

"Grass grows so well in the cracked asphalt that the custodian has to mow it," said Jennifer Broadstone who has been leading the committee of parents.

After four years of planning and fundraising, Phase One of the restoration will begin in June when school is out for the summer. Phase One includes a multi-use grass playfield, irrigation, native plantings and paved sport courts.

"We can't wait to see the looks on the kids' faces in September when they see the new grass playfield for the first time," said committee member Sonya Elliot.

The parents began their planning by visiting a number of recently upgraded playgrounds in Seattle with the School District's self help coordinator, Gretchen DeDecker. The planning got a jumpstart when Otak's Seattle office donated a playground master plan through Curtis LaPierre - a Lafayette committee member and landscape architect at Otak. The parent's committee contracted with Barker Landscape Architects to complete the schematic design and contract documents. Barker's designers involved the teaching staff and students in the design process.

The parents raised over $300,000 through a Department of Neighborhoods grant, a grant from Seattle Public Utilities for diverting stormwater, a King County athletic program grant, and donations from many West Seattle business and families. Construction was originally scheduled for last summer until estimated construction costs exceeded the available budget. The committee stuck with it and managed to raise the additional funds with the help of the Seattle School District.

For additional information about this project or how to make a donation, contact committee member Shelby White, at (206) 501-7601.