The Intown Academy, an Atlanta Public Schools Kindergarten-8th grade year-round charter school in the Old Fourth Ward is raising funds to build the neighborhood’s first school playground. Prompted by a $15,000 Let’s Play Community Construction challenge grant from the Dr Pepper Snapple Group and national non-profit KaBOOM!, the school must build its playground by the end of April to keep the grant.
The school has raised enough funds to purchase the minimum amount of equipment for the grant, but is still raising $25,000 to complete Phase 2 of the project which will include additional playground equipment and planting trees.
The Intown Academy is involved with District 2 Councilperson Kwanza Hall’s “Year of Boulevard” initiative committed to revitalizing the neighborhood and supporting its youth through a number of programs. The Intown Academy has also partnered with several Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park businesses to raise funds for the playground in March. Noni’s, Pizzeria Vesuvius, Mr. and Miss Einstein’s Ice Cream Parlor, Caramba Café, P’Cheen, and Highland Cigar all donated a percentage of sales from a series of dining fundraisers. As of the end of February, The Intown Academy PTA, the Institute for America’s Health, Intown Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Midtown Neighbors Association, After School Programs (ASP), and EdisonLearning have contributed $10,300 collectively to Phase 1 of the project.
In additional to financial contributions, the school is seeking 120 volunteers to help with the building of the playground on April 20; onsite childcare will be provided. To sign-up as a volunteer or to make a donation, visit intownacademy.org.