New children’s playground rises at Academy of Our Lady

Above: Children at Academy of Our Lady’s summer camp test out the Vistastar Rope System following their new playground’s July 12 blessing and ribbon-cutting. (Photo by Beth Donze, Clarion Herald; additional photos can be viewed on the Clarion Herald’s Facebook page)

By BETH DONZE
Clarion Herald

With a regulation-size running track, fields for soccer and softball and several acres of green space already part of Academy of Our Lady’s expansive backyard, the sudden appearance of a children’s playground might be viewed as something of an anomaly on a high school’s campus.

But the new state-of-the-art play space at Salesian-founded Academy of Our Lady is a deliberate addition – one that literally aligns with the charism of school founder St. John Bosco: provide young people with opportunities to stay active in body, mind and spirit.

“Don Bosco said, ‘Run! Jump! Play, but do not sin!’ – so, we need to provide our young people some place where they can go and have fun,” said Sister Michelle Geiger, the high school’s principal, speaking minutes before the new playground was blessed by Salesian Father Mark Hyde during a July 12 prayer service and ribbon-cutting.

“Part of our Salesian philosophy is to be a home that welcomes and a playground where friends can meet,” Sister Michelle said. “When I’m sitting at the games of our high school kids, I’ll often notice their younger brothers and sisters have nothing to do – and those games can be up to four hours long.”

Perfectly situated

Typically, the mantra of most new construction is: “Build it, and they will come.” But people already do come – throughout the year and in great numbers – to the part of Academy of Our Lady’s campus known as “Penguin Park,” Sister Michelle said.

In addition to being used by Academy of Our Lady’s P.E. students and athletes, the park hosts several community softball and soccer leagues and accommodates the outdoor activities of the Marrero high school’s robust summer camp program. Academy of Our Lady also shares its track and playing fields with its fellow Salesian-founded high school – the all-boys Archbishop Shaw, located a three-minute walk away. In return, Academy of Our Lady’s swim team is given use of Archbishop Shaw’s pool. 

“It’s very important that we provide our kids, young and old, with places for healthy play,” Sister Michelle said. “Part of Salesian spirituality is what’s known as the preventive system – what can we do to prevent our young people from making bad choices? Well, number one is to provide them places to make good choices, such as playgrounds. If we give them nothing, we’re expecting the impossible.”

Age-appropriate amenities

Tarped to provide as much shade as possible, the new playground is divided into two main sections designed for the recreational and educational enjoyment of two different age groups: ages 2-5; and ages 5-12. Safe landings are provided by a thick layer of soft and cushy rubber mulch.

A third playground component, known by its trade name of the Vistastar Rope System, challenges youngsters to safely climb a rope “spider web” that rises to a height of 19 feet.

Located in close proximity to bathroom facilities and water fountains, the new playground also includes two new tarp-shaded picnic tables at which parents can sit and watch their children. Still in the works: The entire play space will be fenced in, Sister Michelle said.

More to come at Penguin Park

After the July 12 blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony, the playground was made available – an age group at a time – to children attending Academy of Our Lady’s summer camp, a nine-week long program that boasts more than 400 campers and a counseling staff of more than 60 volunteers and work-study students.

After construction was postponed for three years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the playground took just a week-and-a-half to complete, Sister Michelle said. One of the principal’s favorite aspects of the new space is its use of Academy of Our Lady’s main school color of blue (honoring the Blessed Mother) and its “accent colors” of green and orange (reflecting the colors of the Christ Child’s garments in a painting of Mary and Jesus commissioned by St. John Bosco himself).

Future plans for Penguin Park include construction of an outdoor fitness center for Academy of Our Lady students, incorporating features such as chin-up bars, balance and strength-building equipment; and the erection of statues of Salesian foundress St. Mary Mazzarello (1837-1881), co-foundress of the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco; and Blessed Laura Vicuña (1891-1904), a Chilean girl whose short life was marked by her dedication to the Salesian Sisters’ vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

“Everybody who comes (to Penguin Park) needs to know that it’s a Catholic space; we need to (announce) our Catholic identity,” Sister Michelle said. “Our students also need to see female models of holiness. We have a big emphasis on that here.”

Sister Michelle, who said the playground’s double-slide is her favorite piece of equipment, noted that her students have already jokingly asked her when they can use the new play space.

“I told them, ‘OK, but not during algebra class.’”

Please note: The playground is reserved for the use of Academy of Our Lady campers and children who accompany their parents to the various sporting events and practices held on Academy of Our Lady’s campus. It is not open to the general public. 

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