Clare County Community Foundation Approves Grant for New Playground for Head Start Students

The Mid Michigan Community Action Agency’s Farwell Head Start students could have a new playground as early as next spring. The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development will fund $19,000 of the $34,000 project as long as the Mid Michigan Community Action Agency matches the funds with $15,000. The Clare County Community Foundation has funded $2,500 in response to a grant proposal.

The Farwell Head Start Preschool has two classrooms that share a small playground. The older equipment recently failed safety inspection and was removed so the playground is fenced but bare of structures.

Outdoor play is crucial for young children, adding to their overall development in countless ways. Outdoor play promotes emotional development, physical development, cognitive and language developments. Engaging in purposeful outdoor activities also allows children to develop social skills. In addition, outdoor play is a major step in curbing the growing rate of overweight children. Children who play outside can begin to develop active lifestyle habits at a young age.

The new playground will be expanded in size and feature rubber mulch, a concrete bike path, a diamond playground bench installation and age-appropriate playground structures. The Clare County Community Foundation is pleased to be able to assist in the funding of this project and looks forward to the expected completion in spring of 2009. “This project is improving our children’s opportunities for success, and the Clare County Community Foundation is pleased to be able to support that” said Carol Santini, Chair of the Clare County Community Foundation.