Excitement filled the air at Elmhurst Elementary School in the morning of Friday, April 25, 2025 as students, staff, and community members gathered to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting of three brand-new playgrounds — the first of 16 new play spaces being constructed across Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) thanks to voter-approved Measure E bond funds.

Designed using a comprehensive, evidence-based approach, the new playgrounds were created to support the physical, social-emotional, cognitive, sensory, and communicative development of all children, including those with disabilities. The vibrant play areas now offer Elmhurst students inclusive, engaging spaces to learn, connect, and grow.

District and school leaders shared remarks during a short ceremony, followed by a festive ribbon-cutting and a group photo. Students immediately took to the new equipment, exploring nature-themed structures, sensory elements, and a crowd favorite — the zipline. Three new play structures were constructed at Elmhurst; one for the TK/K students and the other two for the rest of the school.

"These playgrounds are more than just places to play — they’re places where students of all abilities can come together, feel safe, and build friendships," said Elmhurst Principal Bret Klopfenstein. "We are incredibly grateful to our community for passing Measure E and making projects like this possible."

Superintendent Dr. Antonio Castro also addressed the crowd, emphasizing the broader vision behind the playgrounds: “This is an important day because these new playgrounds represent our commitment to equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all students. Thanks to the support of our community through Measure E, we’re able to create spaces where every child feels like they belong, where every child can grow and thrive." He thanked the community for their investment in the future of Ventura students and recognized the hard work of the Measure E Team, VUSD Bond staff, and Elmhurst staff for their dedication to seeing the project through. He also thanked the students for the patience they showed while the playground was being built.

Board of Education Trustee Sabrena Rodriguez shared a heartfelt message, highlighting the importance of voter participation in making projects like these a reality. "This playground represents what happens when a community comes together to say ‘yes’ to investing in children. It’s about more than swings and slides — it’s about creating an environment where every student feels seen, included, and supported. This is exactly the kind of future we want for all of our students." Rodriguez thanked families, staff, and the broader community for their ongoing commitment to supporting safe, inclusive, and inspiring learning environments.

Adding a special touch to the day’s celebration, Elmhurst teacher and alumna Mrs. Lockwood reflected on how far the school has come. "I attended Elmhurst as a student back in the 1970s, and now, in my 32nd year teaching here, I can truly say this is by far the best playground we have ever had. It finally meets the needs of all our students," she shared. "We've had so many kids run up to us saying, 'This is the best day ever!' The variety of activities and structures is incredible — there’s something for everyone to enjoy."

Elmhurst’s playgrounds have already earned national recognition, recently receiving three National Demonstration Site Project Excellence Awards from PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research and Education (CORE) — one for inclusive play design and two for nature and physical activity-focused zones.

The students' excitement was impossible to miss. As they zipped, climbed, and explored, many shared their favorite parts. One student exclaimed, "This is the best playground ever!" Another added, "There’s so much to do — we can run, climb, spin, and even race on the zipline!" Students praised the natural design, wide-open space, and colorful features, while teachers and staff noted how the playground was already fostering teamwork, creativity, and joyful play.

Tiana, an Elmhurst student, summed it up best: "We love the playground! It’s so big that we can have a restaurant under it! I love the color green because it’s the color of nature — and the zipliner is my favorite part. We appreciate the people who built it, even though they had to work in the rain!"