In past years, the recent rain would have forced Clintonville Elementary School students to remain inside due to chronic flooding problems at the building’s outdated, dilapidated playground. However, in 2011, thanks to efforts of education and political representatives, Clintonville kids can enjoy recess in a brand-new playground, even after wet weather.

“This would never have happened without Clintonville’s Parent Teacher Association,” said school principal Lauretta Dowling. “This wouldn’t have gotten done without their persistence.”

Last academic year, Clintonville’s PTA worked with town and state politicians to secure an $188,000 Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant. Local fundraisers pushed finances collected over $200,000, and Clintonville could afford to replace its rusted playground over the summer.

Besides equipment damage, the former playground suffered from flood problems so severe that rain consistently left behind soggy fields and pools of water, rendering the recreation area unusable for days. Such has been corrected.

“The first day after Hurricane Irene, I went out to inspect,” Dowling said. “The drainage was working beautifully.”

Already, students have benefited. “With all the things they can do on it, this playground can really get the kids’ creative juices going.” Dowling said. “The other day, they were all pretending that the playscape was a spaceship.”

Kids, teachers, PTA members and North Haven officials packed the school’s gymnasium for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 20 for Clintonville’s new playground, which has been named Paradis Playground after longtime instructor Carmela Paradis.

“It’s such an honor. I’m just overwhelmed,” said ceremony guest of honor Carmela, who taught for 59 years, including the last 35 at Clintonville.

Carmela’s son Michael spoke about his mother during the event. “She lived for the school year,” he said. “This was not just a job for her. This was a way of life.

“What she did best was help mold your children to be the best they could,” he added. “With this playground, mom’s love of teaching will live on in the hearts of the children.”

Naming the playground after Carmela was an easy choice, according to Dowling. “She retired last year. Although she may no longer be in the building physically, she will always be here in spirit,” Dowling said. “She put so many things in place here, good practices which we will continue, that it was only fitting to name the playground after her. The PTA came up with the idea, and it was unanimously supported by the faculty and parents.”

During Monday’s function, PTA member Kathleen Kessler spoke on their collective accomplishment. “I had people tell me I was crazy because of all the time and effort that we had to put into this,” she said. “We built a playground that is a dream. We had a lot of people help from the community.”

Earlier, First Selectman Michael Freda spoke. “The marvelous thing is all the children yet to come to Clintonville because they are going to enjoy that same playground that you are going to enjoy,” he said to the hundreds of youths seated before him. “This project is a wonderful symbol of the marvelous teamwork of people from all over North Haven.”

State Representative David Yaccarino, also a speaker, had attended Clintonville as a child. “I actually played on that old playground,” he said with a laugh. “It’s about time we have a new playground.”In past years, the recent rain would have forced Clintonville Elementary School students to remain inside due to chronic flooding problems at the building’s outdated, dilapidated playground. However, in 2011, thanks to efforts of education and political representatives, Clintonville kids can enjoy recess in a brand-new playground, even after wet weather.

“This would never have happened without Clintonville’s Parent Teacher Association,” said school principal Lauretta Dowling. “This wouldn’t have gotten done without their persistence.”

Last academic year, Clintonville’s PTA worked with town and state politicians to secure an $188,000 Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant. Local fundraisers pushed finances collected over $200,000, and Clintonville could afford to replace its rusted playground over the summer.

Besides equipment damage, the former playground suffered from flood problems so severe that rain consistently left behind soggy fields and pools of water, rendering the recreation area unusable for days. Such has been corrected.

“The first day after Hurricane Irene, I went out to inspect,” Dowling said. “The drainage was working beautifully.”

Already, students have benefited. “With all the things they can do on it, this playground can really get the kids’ creative juices going.” Dowling said. “The other day, they were all pretending that the playscape was a spaceship.”

Kids, teachers, PTA members and North Haven officials packed the school’s gymnasium for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 20 for Clintonville’s new playground, which has been named Paradis Playground after longtime instructor Carmela Paradis.

“It’s such an honor. I’m just overwhelmed,” said ceremony guest of honor Carmela, who taught for 59 years, including the last 35 at Clintonville.

Carmela’s son Michael spoke about his mother during the event. “She lived for the school year,” he said. “This was not just a job for her. This was a way of life.

“What she did best was help mold your children to be the best they could,” he added. “With this playground, mom’s love of teaching will live on in the hearts of the children.”

Naming the playground after Carmela was an easy choice, according to Dowling. “She retired last year. Although she may no longer be in the building physically, she will always be here in spirit,” Dowling said. “She put so many things in place here, good practices which we will continue, that it was only fitting to name the playground after her. The PTA came up with the idea, and it was unanimously supported by the faculty and parents.”

During Monday’s function, PTA member Kathleen Kessler spoke on their collective accomplishment. “I had people tell me I was crazy because of all the time and effort that we had to put into this,” she said. “We built a playground that is a dream. We had a lot of people help from the community.”

Earlier, First Selectman Michael Freda spoke. “The marvelous thing is all the children yet to come to Clintonville because they are going to enjoy that same playground that you are going to enjoy,” he said to the hundreds of youths seated before him. “This project is a wonderful symbol of the marvelous teamwork of people from all over North Haven.”

State Representative David Yaccarino, also a speaker, had attended Clintonville as a child. “I actually played on that old playground,” he said with a laugh. “It’s about time we have a new playground.”