Laconia elementary playgrounds reopen after summer renovations

Playgrounds for Elm Street, Pleasant Street and Woodland Heights schools reopened after a summer of renovations on Tuesday afternoon. The renovations aim to ensure safe equipment for play, providing accessibility options and inclusivity for all students. The playgrounds also now offer equipment developmentally appropriate for preschool students. Laconia School District set aside $249,000 for the project and launched a capital campaign to raise the remainder of the cost. Local donors include Bank of New Hampshire, Irwin Motors, RFS Engineering, Harvey Construction, Melcher & Prescott Insurance, Meredith Village Savings Bank, Kiwanis Club of Laconia, Lakes Region Rotary, Porter Paving, Clean-O-Rama and Northway Bank. Interim Superintendent Bob Champlin said the district recently received additional donations, bringing the capital campaign total close to $180,000.