A new playground at Columbus Signature Academy Lincoln Elementary School that pays tribute to the architect who created an original concept has been completed.
A ribbon-cutting and ice cream social was held Oct. 14 at the school to mark the completion of the Linden Project, modeled from an original concept for a playground developed in 1966 that did not come to fruition. The name of the project was selected as a tribute to Gunnar Birkerts, who designed the original concept which called for Linden trees to be incorporated.
The half-million dollar investment at the school has been popular among students and community members since the start of the school year, said Brett Findley, CSA Lincoln principal.
“It has been three years in the making and it really couldn’t have been done without the support of parents, businesses, local organizations and BCSC,” Findley said.
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The playground, which includes outdoor classrooms, swing sets, benches and the Joe Brown Globe, a wooden climbing structure shaped as a globe to match Columbus’ unique architecture. The space, which was designed by Hitchcock Design Group, also includes swings allowing students to socialize with one another.
Findley said students are also using the outdoor classroom to present plays.
“They’re coming up with new ways to use the space,” he said. “It has turned into everything we had hoped for.”
The playground ties to Birkerts’ original design while staying in line with Columbus’ unique architecture, especially since the school is located near downtown, Findley said.
Tracy Kiser, project coordinator of the Linden Project, commended everyone involved who helped make the effort successful. Kiser said community members are also using the playground area during after-school hours.
“That really is our goal is that it will benefit Columbus as a whole,” Kiser said.
More than half of the money for the Linden Project was generated through fundraising, while additional financial support was contributed by the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp., Kiser said. The project also received financial support through a $50,000 grant from Heritage Fund — the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County and $90,000 from the Carl Marshall & Mildred Almen Reeves Foundation.
Kiser said the new playground is more inviting than what had been there. It includes seven Linden trees and landscape mulch beds with perennials and a butterfly garden, she said.
“It’s really a unique space,” Kiser said.
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For more information on the Linden Project, visit thelindenproject.weebly.com/
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