Give Chimborazo Students the Playground They Deserve

Give Chimborazo Students the Playground They Deserve image

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.

Playgrounds are essential learning environments. Research indicates that physical activity enhances focus, develops social skills, and promotes emotional well-being. Recess is crucial to the school day, providing students the opportunity to move, connect, and recharge so they can return to the classroom ready to learn. Unfortunately, for Chimborazo’s older students, recess occurs on an overheated blacktop in an area not designed for play. They are not asking for Richmond's largest playground—just a safe place to play safely.

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.

The total cost of this project is $200,000. We must raise these funds ASAP to ensure that every student at Chimborazo has access to the same opportunities as their peers. Every dollar invested brings us closer to giving Chimborazo students the playground they deserve.

For those who prefer to spread their investment over time, a monthly donation of $25 or more will help make this playground a reality.

We have the momentum, we have the plan, and now we need the investment to make it happen. This is about ensuring every Chimborazo student has a place to play, just like children at every other school. It is about creating a space where kids can move, connect, and experience the joy of childhood.

The Church Hill community is coming together to make this happen. Will you be a part of it?

Please donate today and help us build a playground that will serve students for generations.