Saint Luke Play Area

Identify a problem with a public space in your community, design a solution, share and refine. The FIRST Robotics Competition not only focuses on building and programming robots but also CORE values and sustainable innovative projects in the community. The 2019 Saint Luke's Robotics Team, consisting of four seventh graders, two sixth graders and five fifth graders immediately got to work brainstorming ideas. They voted on improving their parish community play space which has been plagued with overuse, compacted soil, water runoff and older overgrown trees, reducing sunlight. They researched sod, artificial turf and safety surface and consulted Mr. Tom Johnston, a landscape architect, and Mr. Drew Carroll, a horticulturist, who kindly donated their time to help these driven students find the best solution. They took their surveyed blueprint to the FIRST Robotics League competition at La Salle College High School in December 2019 and WON first place for their innovation project. They brought the idea to the school and parish administration for consideration as a capital project. It was approved in March 2020.

As we begin to dust ourselves off as a collective world from the pandemic, we would like to announce that we are reviving this project and bringing it to reality for our parish and school community. In addition to our preschool and older students thriving in an outdoor oasis, imagine CYO sports teams hosting practice, Boy and Girl Scouts working on projects outdoors, and parish groups hosting meetings in an outdoor venue. Our plans, always subject to change, would allow us to optimize the space we have allowing an imaginative PK play area and outdoor classrooms for students and parish group meetings.

This project will not be possible without the support of our community. Requesting assistance is never an easy task, but doing so will allow this project to reach its full potential. At this time, we are reaching out to all of you! If you are able, will you please assist us in providing the best outdoor environment for our students?  

If you or your family members work in a field that may be beneficial towards the completion of this project, please CLICK HERE to complete this short Google Form. If you would like to make a monetary donation, this may be completed by sending a check payable to Saint Luke Catholic School or through Venmo (@SaintLukeCatholicSchool). If you have any questions please contact Kate Garrett at 215 884-0843 or [email protected].

God bless you for whatever you can do on behalf of Saint Luke Catholic School. Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity.