Help Update our Playground

 When Chimborazo Elementary PTA and the Richmond Ed Fund launched our playground fundraising campaign, we knew we were reaching for something big—a $250,000 vision of joy, safety, and opportunity for our students. What we didn’t expect was the incredible wave of support that would follow.

Thanks to a powerful news story and a community that believes in our kids, we’ve raised over $20,000 in just a matter of days.

We are deeply thankful to every single person who has donated, shared our story, or simply cheered us on. You’re not just helping us build a playground—you’re helping us model what it means to show up for one another. Our children are watching us organize, speak up, dream boldly, and give generously. They’re learning that they are worth investing in.

This project is about more than swings and slides. It’s about equity, safety, and the basic right of every child to have a place where they can laugh, move, and play freely. It’s about transforming a cracked asphalt lot into a space that reflects the brilliance and potential of our students.

And we're just getting started. With $20K raised and $230K to go, we are more energized than ever and committed to seeing this through. We will carry this momentum with care, transparency, and the firm belief that together, we can build something beautiful.

Thank you, Richmond. Let’s keep going.

In 2025, 172 students at Chimborazo Elementary still do not have a real playground. While their younger classmates enjoy modern play structures, students in grades 3-5 spend recess on a cracked asphalt lot with aging equipment from the 1960s. There is no shade to protect them from the heat, no fencing to keep balls from rolling into the street, and no real space to run, climb, or imagine.

It is time to change that.

Beyond the lack of equipment, recess at Chimborazo presents a significant safety concern. The only designated play area for older students is directly beside the school’s parent drop-off and pick-up area. At any given time, cars, daycare vans, and buses pass within feet of children at play. Balls roll into traffic, and students have no physical barrier separating them from moving vehicles. No child’s recess should come with the risk of an accident.

With the community's support, we will create a modern, engaging, safe playground for all students. This new space will feature climbing structures, swings, slides, and shaded areas to ensure students enjoy recess year-round. The asphalt will be replaced with a cushioned surface to prevent injuries, and a fully enclosed, secure play area will eliminate safety risks from nearby traffic. This playground will communicate to students that they matter, that their well-being is valued, and that their school is where they can learn, grow, and thrive.