John Newbery Elementary unveils long-awaited new playground

WENATCHEE — After more than a decade of fundraising, planning and community support, students at John Newbery Elementary are getting a long-awaited new playground.

The project, led by the John Newbery PTA, replaces aging playground equipment originally installed in the 1990s and represents more than 10 years of bake sales, fun runs and local fundraising efforts. Altogether, the PTA raised approximately $125,000 to help make the new playground possible.

“Just seeing this project get completed after so many years — it’s been so rewarding,” PTA President Mareena Pierce said in a release from the Wenatchee School District. “When I became president, Principal Yanez asked us to keep the momentum going. I walked into the school recently and saw the work happening and heard how excited the kids were.”

The new playground includes features requested directly by students, including a zipline, spinning cyclone and multiple sets of monkey bars. PTA representatives gathered input from third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students during the planning process, allowing children to help shape the final design.

The playground was built through a partnership between the PTA, Wenatchee School District, local contractors and community donors. Absher Construction assisted with concrete work, while independent playground contractor Steve Burgener helped with site preparation, installation and project guidance. The school district also contributed landscaping and financial support.

Located near the front of the school along Western Avenue, the new playground was intentionally positioned to improve accessibility and visibility for both students and neighborhood families.

The PTA also recognized a long list of local businesses and donors that contributed financially to the effort, including Wenatchee Pediatric Dentistry, Merrill and Week Orthodontics, Brazeau Orthodontics, Goodfellow Brothers, Wheatland Bank and Wenatchee Valley Medical Group.

A public ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for May 29 at 1:45 p.m. at John Newbery Elementary, located at 850 N. Western Ave. in Wenatchee.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media