Students at the AmPark Neighborhood School will soon have a bigger and better playground to have fun.

The school was given a $500,000 grant to renovate its current 800-square-foot outdoor space. There will also be additional security features added to the playground.

"Having the additional space will allow for more students to be out at the same time," says Principal Kelly Lennon. "It also encloses our back door, which really helps with safety."

The project was on the ballot for the 2019 participatory budgeting in Councilman Andrew Cohen's district. The community voted and other ideas came out on top. However, the school was still given a grant to help upgrade the playground.  

"People local in the community said that the playground here is very small and could be enhanced," says Cohen. "I would not have known that unless a parent came through participatory budgeting that this is a problem."

Everyone involved at the school is excited for the future generations that will get to enjoy the new upgraded playground.