Site Plans – Play! Paxson

The rendering below represents the current plans for the Paxson Playground. The images included here are examples of the new features the committee is considering for the playground. Click on a dot to see photos!

Paxson Nature Playscape

Creating a place of play and connection to nature, friends, local culture and community

About the Project

The Play! Paxson Updates Project has taken place in phases. Phase one includes the updates you see today. The wonderful asphalt painting that encourages activity. Vibrant colors were chosen for the 4-square, maze, activity lines and classroom lines. One basketball hoop was lowered which resulted in many more students playing the sport! A fun ball-wall was erected. And a garden gate installed so a portion of the outdoor learning center could be used safely by students at recesses.

In collaboration with our PTA Safety committee and MCPS, additional updates were made including repairing fences, widening the East and West fence entryways, and relocating bus pick up and drop off zones (separating modes of transportation to increase safety for all). We thank the City of Missoula for approving the PTA Safety committees request for stop signs that were installed on the two intersections on Gerald Avenue, for repainting crosswalks, and for the installation of dry wells to collect storm water that makes the corner of Evans and Gerald useable all year round.

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450

Paxson students who use the playground each day

Avg. number of children who use the playground outside school hours

$150000

Total cost of additional improvements

In 2019 we focused on improving our field condition. We toyed with artificial turf but the cost was way out of our budget. So in collaboration with MCPS, we worked through a turf management plan to give our field a boost and removed it from play for the summer and wow, all those efforts paid off. It really looks great and with a new maintenance plan in place, we are proud to say “the grass is always greener” at Paxson.
In 2020, the playground team took a hiatus as did many due to covid-19, but a group of volunteers touched up the playground paint and added a few class lines!
In 2021, new bike racks that are easier for young riders to use were delivered to the newly paved North bike parking nook on Evans Avenue thanks to PTA funds and a City of Missoula grant.
Now in 2021, we need your help to raise $150,000 for the additional updates which includes new equipment and more areas for play!

During the school year, about 430-450 Paxson students use our playground each school day. It is one of the smaller school playgrounds in MCPS, so the goal is to create more “space” through new equipment, cool spaces like a stage and seating areas, and a new natural play space to explore.

The Paxson Playground extends beyond our students and welcomes additional community members after school and on weekends.

An average of 75 kids per day visit the Paxson Playground from local after-care school groups.

Thank you to the community that fundraised and installed the existing play structure back around 2005. Donate today and leave a lasting legacy like those before us!