Credit: Jenkintown School District.
The Jenkintown School Board of Directors met on Jan. 13 for its combined work session and business meeting.
The directors approved the construction of a new playground at Legacy Park at Jenkintown Elementary School.
The original playground, which was constructed in 2002 by community volunteers, has reached the end of its life and must be replaced. A steering committee made up of current school board directors, community members, borough council members and district employees was created to evaluate the needs for the future playground.
The proposed area for consideration for development includes the greenspace adjacent to the Jenkintown Elementary School, including the castle park, field and smaller play structures.
The plan, as of now, would be to create a community space that can be used by students and residents. According to the school board, there will be a section that community members may access. It would be separated from the student section and would make it the only “open” play space in Jenkintown.
The final project scope will depend on fundraising and final design plans and may be phased over several years.
According to documents, construction of the playground would begin in the summer 2026. The construction timeline indicates that ongoing maintenance and future park expansions would be completed by fall 2026.
“The Legacy Park at Jenkintown Elementary hopes to become a space that will unite both the students who utilize the grounds during school hours and welcome community members after hours and on weekends,” The Jenkintown Education Foundation wrote.
“Our biggest wish is that we can give families with toddlers, school aged children, grandparents, couples, friends, athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and gardeners, all somewhere to enjoy themselves here in Jenkintown,” JEF added. “With this wish in mind, our focus will be on inclusion, sustainability, and looking at the spaces with long term planning in mind. Jenkintown is a beautiful community with a rich legacy and we want to ensure that this park has a positive impact for years to come.”
