It was a cloudy morning in East Kensington: over a hundred elementary school students sat cross-legged on the barren expanse of blacktop outside the Horatio B. Hackett school at Tulip and York Streets. Standing in a semi-circle around the students was a crowd of parents, teachers, and community leaders. This was the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly constructed arch marking the entrance to the schoolyard.

The event also marked the beginning of a fund drive for a $1.4 million playground to be built over the asphalt tundra which currently surrounds the school. The assembled crowd listened to speeches by State Senator Christine Tartaglione, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. William R. Hite, Jr., Assistant Superintendent Racquel Jones, and Penn Treaty Special Services Board Member Steve Richman. Todd Kimmel, principal of Hackett, facilitated the ceremony.

The construction of the arch was a organized by Friends of Hackett, a nonprofit organization aimed at improving the schoolyard around Hackett Elementary. The arch was funded by a $25,000 grant from the Penn Treaty Special Services District (PTSSD) as well as a $5,000 donation of in-kind concrete work from Healy, Jevin and Long Concrete. All speakers at the ceremony commended this effort and pledged further support for the campaign for a new playground.

“It’s special when we can invest in our future,” said Raquel Jones.

The actual ribbon cutting drew loud cheers from the students who, up until that point, had been remarkably quiet and well-mannered, considering what one might think of a hundred schoolchildren listening to speeches about philanthropy.

The proposed project would feature more grass (up from none), outdoor classrooms, and an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant playground. This would make Hackett only the second playground in the city to become ADA compliant. The plan also provides for an innovative rainwater capture system. Rainwater would be stored underground in an effort to protect the Delaware River from urban runoff which produces flooding and water pollution. Partners in this revitalization plan include The School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Water Department, New Kensington CDC and the Community Design Collaborative. City Councilman Mark Squilla has also voiced his support.

In a press release, Friends of Hackett President Micah Hanson said, “the new schoolyard is the community anchor and active outdoor space that our students and neighbors deserve. We’re proud and excited to unveil The Gateway, and we look forward to working together with our strong network of partners here in Philadelphia to raise funds for these critical improvements to this underserved inner-city school.”

The fundraising campaign for the new playground is ongoing. Friends of Hackett encourages people to purchase Panda (Hackett’s mascot) window decals to help raise money. Decals are $15 and can be purchased at 3 Mama Llamas, Barefoot Community Acupuncture, Cook and Shaker, and here at the Spirit News office. 100 percent of proceeds go toward the new schoolyard.