ELYRIA — A playground plan has gotten under way at the Hamilton Building, where the teachers and staff are working to finally bring a play area to the south side location.

The Hamilton Building, at 1215 Middle Ave., houses the Elyria Schools Early Childhood Education Center, Integrated Elyria Preschool Program, the Elyria Head Start Program and the south branch of the Elyria Public Library. On any given day during the school year, 160 kids, from newborn to kindergarten, learn and play at the building.

However, many people don’t know all that play is done without any kind of outside play equipment, said Colleen Kamody, Head Start teacher.

That’s why the group has started a fundraising process, which Kamody said will continue until enough money is raised to get a playground on the site. The cost is estimated at more than $30,000.

“Our greatest hope is to secure a safe place for the kids to grow and play,” Kamody said. “This is not just us, but for all the neighborhood kids to use. The south side is full of kids, but lacks a real playground for them to play on.”

The first of many fundraisers is a television raffle, in which the winner will walk away with a 37-inch flat- screen television courtesy of Elyria Charities. There also will be $100 and $200 cash prizes.

“It’s a start, and we will keep holding different events until the money is there,” Kamody said.

Creativity becomes the name of the game when it’s time for the various groups of youngsters to head outside. Playgrounds are something most people take for granted. But when there are only two pieces of deteriorating play equipment — old metal climbers — the little things like swings, slides and monkey bars are appreciated even more.

The group is looking to raise enough money to construct a preschool and primary play space to be enjoyed by preschoolers during school hours and neighborhood kids after school.

“We have lots of bikes, activities and games to keep the kids engaged in play,” Kamody said. “But kids at this age are active learners and they need a place to learn, play and explore. They say play is the work of children, and they really need that.”

Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.

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