West Scranton’s Francis Willard Elementary School the latest to be revamped from boring asphalt into a dynamic community play space.
Francis Willard Elementary School will soon undergo a major makeover, transforming what is now simple asphalt into a dynamic play space serving both students and the broader community, Mayor Paige G. Cognetti – along with officials from the Scranton School District, Valley in Motion (VIM), and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) – announced at a press conference today.
And the school’s third-grade students are going to help design it.
“This playground project is yet another shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration,” Mayor Cognetti said. “The new playground at Francis Willard will be more than just a place for children to play; it will be a hub for community connection. That’s why we’re so focused on revitalizing and introducing new parks throughout Scranton. By welcomingfamilies and providing a space where neighbors can interact, our city parks strengthen the fabrics of our neighborhoods while improving overall quality of life.”
When school is not in session, the Willard playground will serve as a community space for the surrounding neighborhood. Students from Mrs. Annamae Martinelli’s third grade class will help design it following a six-week curriculum on playground development, provided by TPL. This hands-on learning experience will culminate in a presentation of student designs.
Willard Elementary now joins playground projects that have already been announced at John F. Kennedy Elementary and John G. Whittier Elementary schools, both located in South Scranton and financially supported in part by Scranton’sAmerican Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
The $900,000 projected cost for the Willard project will be financed through a combination of private and grant funding.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the City of Scranton, Trust for Public Land, and Valley in Motion for their generous support in funding the construction of this new park at Frances
Willard,” Scranton School District Superintendent Dr. Erin Keating said. “Providing our students with the opportunity to engage with state-of-the-art equipment in a safe, welcoming environment, while also contributing their own creative ideas to the project, is truly remarkable. I am thrilled to see the innovative contributions our students will bring to life at Frances Willard.”
“Frances Willard Elementary is deeply grateful to the City of Scranton, Trust for Public Land and Valley in Motion for selecting our school to receive a new playground. Our school community faces a high rate of poverty with limited outdoor resources, which makes this gift especially meaningful. Our students work diligently, follow school rules, and excel academically, and they deserve a safe, engaging outlet during the school day,” Willard Elementary Principal Shannon Rucker said. “This project not only provides a much-needed space for play, but also allows our students to enhance their education by designing the playground themselves and seeing their ideas come to life. We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter and look forward to the lasting impact it will have on our school and neighborhood.”
The City of Scranton is committed to improving its neighborhoods and residents’ quality of life by refurbishing its parks, pools and recreation spaces. New and ongoing projectsinclude new playground equipment, rubber resurfacing, pickleball courts and other upgrades at Billy Barrett Park in Minooka; Oakmont Park near Lake Scranton; Robinson Park on East Mountain, and the North Scranton Mini Park.
New pool construction and rehabilitation projects include the Novembrino Splash Pad in West Scranton; Connell Park in South Scranton, Penn Ridge Pool in Pine Brook; Weston Park in Bull’s Head; and Nay Aug Park in the Hill Section.
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ABOUT THE CITY OF SCRANTON: Incorporated in 1866, the City of Scranton has a population of approximately 76,000 residents and is the sixth-largest municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Scranton City Hall is located at 340 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. Residents requiring services should visit www.scrantonpa.gov.
ABOUT MAYOR PAIGE G. COGNETTI: Paige G. Cognetti was sworn in as the 36th Mayor of Scranton in January 2020, becoming the first woman to lead the Electric City in its 159-year history. Her administration is focused on driving economic growth, upgrading infrastructure, ensuring public safety, fostering government transparency and efficiency, and improving residents’ overall quality of life.
Another City Playground Transformation Announced | Press Release
Last modified: February 4, 2025
