Lower School New Playground Spotlight

Over the summer, the Lower School received a major upgrade with the construction of a brand new and improved playground. Replacing the older setup, the new playspace features natural wooden log structures, multiple giant rope climbing webs and walls, balance beams, and a wooden playhouse tower complete with a slide.

The shift from the old blue metal equipment to a new adventurous obstacle course gives recess a completely different vibe this year, letting the young Hounds start the 2026-2027 school year fresh and full of entertainment. The playground has been packed every recess, with groups of boys constantly scaling the rope structures, flying down the slide, chasing each other during games of tag, or kicking a ball across the mulch. By using a new design instead of reusing a similar design to the previous structure, the new playground allows for many distinct possibilities for students to explore. Instead of crowding around the typical playground with its metal poles and slides, the larger, open design allows multiple grades to play all at the same time without running out of room. The new setup seamlessly blends in, still leaving plenty of space for other recess activities carrying over from last year, like room for basketball, four square, and the swings. 

The reaction from the Lower School has been overwhelmingly positive, and when asked about the upgraded space, Theo Sharper ‘35 pointed out, "It's pretty cool even though I only play football” and noted, “It’s a lot bigger than the last one.” Although he doesn’t use it much, Theo admits that the new area has piqued his interest, reflecting how this can be a fun opportunity for the students who like to spend their recess doing other activities. The extra space makes a noticeable difference, enabling students to jump right into tons of different games and activities without having to wait for them to open up. As Teddy Chriss ‘41 put it, “It’s really great,” and he “really like[s] the fort.” Statements like his show how much the new playground has already elevated the recess experience for the entire Lower School.