Bates Elementary School Unveils New Interactive, Inclusive Playground

Playground includes interactive games, climbing challenges, accessibility

SALEM (Sept. 3, 2025) – It might have been two days late, but the pre-K through grade 5 scholars at the Bates Elementary School aren’t complaining.

Joy was abound as a new, robust playground opened Tuesday afternoon at the Bates Elementary School, concurrent with its ‘Popsicles with the Principal Family Night,’ amidst restless students anxious to take advantage. 

Essex County, City of Salem and SPS District officials showered praise on the folks who made it come to life.

Among those in attendance were Senator Joan Lovely (2nd Essex District); Mayor/School Committee Chair Dominick Pangallo (a former Bates parent); SPS Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike; Salem School Committee member AJ Hoffman; and Bates principal Sue Faria-Smith. The office of State Representative/School Committee Vice Chair Manny Cruz (Salem High School Class of 2010, 7th Essex District) was also represented.

While each kept their comments brief, mindful of the many young scholars itching to test their new playground, Dr. Zrike lauded the collaborative effort and how it was emblematic of the District Strategic Plan. 

“We are thrilled to open this brand-new play and learning space at Bates,” he said. “We extend our sincere thanks to Mayor Pangallo and the City of Salem for their investment in this beautiful, state-of-the-art outdoor environment – one that will enrich the Bates student experience for years to come.

“This playground reflects the value we place on hands-on learning, social interaction, and exploration beyond the traditional classroom,” Dr. Zrike added. “Our youngest learners deserve a space like this – a place where they can grow, imagine, and create lasting memories. We know this new structure and landscape will be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Complete with poured foam rubber flooring, each apparatus accommodates and offers challenges – for climbing, navigating and cognitive development – for all elementary school-aged children with plenty of space to roam.

Among the many features includes:

• A tented play structure with two curved Monaco slides, petal step climber, short rock climbing wall, and several cognitive touch games.
• Playhouse with extra sensory experiences
• Play ensemble supine chimes
• Portable picnic tables which teachers can arrange for outdoor classes
• Two-seat rocker
• Surface-accessible spinner, accessible for wheelchairs
• Two additional tented areas for shade and benches along the periphery

Roughly a year in the making, the playground was a collaboration between Salem Public Schools, the City of Salem and Lexington-based developer m3 Land Studio, led by Mariana Mariscal, which constructed the new playground at the Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in October. 

Two key vendors involved in the project had significant ties to the new playground: Bryce Nadeau (SHS ‘89), of Site One Landscape Supply, attended Bates while Keith Brennan, Chief Estimator of Salem-based Brennan Construction, Inc. and a Salem Firefighter, is a SPS parent.

Other contributors included: 

• Childscapes of Marshfield, Mass.
• Green International Affiliates of Tewksbury
• SportsTek Surfaces of Beverly
• ED Professional Tree Service of Providence, R.I.
• Thomas Testing of Brewster, N.Y.

Zissis Alepakis, Director of Salem Public Schools Buildings and Grounds, and his staff oversaw the project.

“Our (previous) playground was a small space and very old, without shade and not very interactive,” said Bates principal Susan Faria-Smith. “Now our kids can play games, it’s safe and inclusive with things to climb on, and instruments to play. All the components of child development are there.”

As the previous iteration of the Bates playground had sunsetted, the primary focus of the renovation was accessibility and compliance with the Americans Disability Act (ADA), and consistency with the 2023-26 Strategic Plan core principle of belonging.

“The new playground space is a much needed addition to a great school and great community,” said Mr. Alepakis. “The old playground space had been deemed uninviting and only one option for play for 50-60 students.

“We now have a larger playground structure with multiple other pieces of stand alone equipment,” he added. “We have pip rubber throughout and have added benches along with landscaping surrounding the playground.”

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Before and After

About Salem Public Schools

Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts, a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens through which we view our work. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff unconditionally serves each of our 4,000 students across 11 schools regardless of ability or language.