Meadow View Elementary School buzzed with excitement Friday, April 11th, 2025, as students, faculty, and community members gathered to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting of their brand-new adaptive playground. This exciting addition to the school’s outdoor space is the result of a collaborative effort between the Alabaster City Board of Education, the Shelby County Commission, and The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.
The new playground is designed to be inclusive, providing a safe and engaging play environment for all students, regardless of their physical abilities. The adaptive equipment caters to a wide range of needs, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to participate in active play and develop essential motor skills.
Principal, Michelle Brakefield expressed her heartfelt gratitude during the ceremony. "I was honored to cut the ribbon on our new adaptive playground today! This project has been a dream for two years, and to see it come to fruition is truly incredible," she said.
She gave special recognition to Occupational Therapist, Merry Grace Harper, a key player in securing the funding for the playground. "Thank you to Merry Grace Harper for working with me to write the grant for this addition to our playground. She and I have wanted this for two years and today it became a reality for our community. Thank you to everyone who made it happen!" Mrs. Brakefield added, highlighting the dedication and perseverance that brought this vision to life.
The students of Meadow View Elementary have already embraced their new playground with enthusiasm. Laughter and joyful shouts filled the air as they explored the various features, demonstrating the immediate positive impact of the project.
The new adaptive playground stands as a testament to the power of community collaboration and the commitment to providing accessible and enriching experiences for all students. Meadow View Elementary is thrilled to offer this wonderful new space for its students to enjoy for years to come.