Kids at University Terrace Elementary School now have plenty to be excited about when the bell rings for recess.  That’s because Louisiana State University (LSU) staff and students, along with a myriad of volunteers from the community, recently installed new playground equipment and gardens.

The day of service organized by LSU Biological and Agricultural Engineering professor Marybeth Lima, included more than 200 volunteers.  This isn’t Lima’s first time on the merry-go-round, either – she has led efforts over the years to construct more than 20 playgrounds at East Baton Rouge Parish School System schools. 

Besides volunteers from 47 local businesses, LSU, religious organizations, service groups, the school and its Parent Teacher Association, (pictured left to right) University Terrace Elementary School Principal Linda Daniel, Lima and LSU Chancellor Michael Martin helped build the playground, too.  That included a composite playground structure and swing-set for the Pre-K-to-first-grade students, a tricycle track, an edible garden and an outdoor “garden” classroom.  Some playground equipment has handicap accessibility.

Lima organized the project as a part of LSU’s Center for Community Engagement, Learning and Leadership (CCELL) and the 2009 Gulf-South Summit on Service-Learning and Civic Engagement through Higher Education held March 27 locally.  Conference attendees from 14 states assisted in the playground construction.