In the heart of the Fort Jackson military community, laughter and youthful exuberance fill the air at the C.C. Pinckney Elementary School’s newly resurfaced playground area.
The playground, a cherished haven for military kids, serves as a place of joy and stability amidst the challenges of military life. However, time took its toll on the playground’s old rubber surfaces. With many divots and scars requiring constant piecemeal repairs, a decision was made to enhance the playground’s appearance and ensure the safety and happiness of the children looking forward to recess every day.
Completed just before school began this fall, the total project encompassed the replacement of 13,500 square feet of poured rubber surface under two exterior playgrounds at the school. The work to restore the playground’s surface was a collocative effort between several federal agencies, all dedicated to providing the best services to military families stationed at Fort Jackson.
“We have been working with the Fort Jackson Department of Public Works, the Department of Defense Education Activity and maintenance personnel from the on-base schools on many projects,” said Debra Mullennex, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District engineer. “From start to finish, the work at C.C. Pinckney took about two months to tear out the old surface, install the thick springy layer and then the color section. Many of the students rode by on their bikes as we worked, and it was so rewarding to see them light up excitedly.”
Operated by DoDEA, C. C. Pinckney Elementary is one of two elementary schools on Fort Jackson. The Charleston District oversaw the construction and commissioning of the new Pierce Terrace Elementary School that was opened in 2020.
“We’ve worked a lot with Charleston District on Fort Jackson to modernization and repair projects at Pinckney Elementary, including a parking addition, driveway and parking lot replacement and a new canopy at the school’s entrance,” said Charles King, DoDEA facilities engineer and project manager. “Several more projects will be awarded soon for the school, including restroom renovations and replacing exterior doors and access controls.”
As one of only two Federally-operated school systems, DoDEA is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating and managing pre-kindergarten through 12th grade educational programs on behalf of the Department of Defense. In 2022, DoDEA test scores were higher than in each of the 50 states in the U.S.
“Our military kids deserve the best, and this project is a testament to that,” said Dr. Tammy Shadd, school principal. “Now, with the new surface installed, the students can enjoy the playground again and it continues to be a safe space for our children to thrive.”
The new poured rubber surface is engineered to be impact-absorbent, reducing the risk of injuries during falls. With a safe playground surface in place, parents and educators can rest assured that children are enjoying themselves in an environment designed with their well-being in mind.