Published on Jan. 25, 2019 at 11:53 a.m.

 

Kingsport City Schools, Andrew Johnson Elementary School, and the Andrew Johnson Elementary School PTO are asking the Kingsport community and regional friends of The Castle Playground to volunteer in the construction of the new Castle playground located on Johnson Elementary School property.

 

After a quarter-century, the iconic wooden structure, affectionately known as The Castle, built in 1990, reached the end of its expected life, and was demolished on December 21, 2018. The structure may be gone; but the memories made by the children and families of Kingsport and the Tri-Cities area are priceless and forever.

 

"Each day as we see growing volunteer totals and learn of new and exciting ways that the community is supporting this project, it is a reminder of how blessed we are to live in Kingsport," said Johnson Elementary Principal Dr. Stacy Edwards. "Our community is not building the playground, but rather, the playground is building the community." 

 

The new playground, sponsored by the Johnson Elementary PTO, a non-profit organization, was inspired by the ideas of current Johnson Elementary students with the guidance of PlaybyDesign. The vision is to rebuild a community funded, accessible, innovative playground for all children of Kingsport. Some of the features include a pirate ship, climbing wall, racing slides and lots of swings. The rendering can be found on castleofkingsport.com.  

 

"All of the members of the Johnson PTO are extremely proud to live in an area where people from all walks of life are coming together for this very special project," said Johnson Elementary PTO President Ashley Hill. "Please join us in making our dream of the new Castle of Kingsport a reality for all of the children in our area."

 

The new playground construction will take place from March 5-10, 2019. Whether you are a skilled craftsman or just wanting an opportunity to improve the community, you can help by becoming a volunteer. There are four ways in which you can help make the new Castle a reality: 1.) Volunteer - build the playground or serve meals/drinks, 2.) Donate - Supply materials and/or tools to build the playground, 3.) Sponsor - Lunch, dinner or snacks for the volunteers, and 4.) Financial Contribution - Purchase a personalized engraved wooden picket that will surround the playground. The PTO has attained 69 percent of their $275,000 total budget. 

 

There are three (3) four-hour shifts to choose from. 1st Shift: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. (lunch provided); 2nd Shift: 12:30-4:30 p.m. (dinner provided); and 3rd Shift: 5-8:30 p.m. Please take note of the volunteer age requirements; you must be 14+ to participate and 18+ to build the playground.

 

For more information, to register as a volunteer, to supply materials/tools, or to reserve your personalized engraved wooden picket, visit castleofkingsport.com. 

 

 

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice and an alternative learning program; with total enrollment over 7,700 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to Inspire. Cultivate. Impact. 

For more information on KCS, visit k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, read our blog, We Are KCS, download our mobile app for Apple / Android devices or call (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (Kingsport City Schools), Twitter (@KCS_District), LinkedIn (Kingsport City Schools) and check out our YouTube Channel (KPTSchools). 

####