Example images of the Quantis A.2 play structure. 

Major Playground Improvements Coming Soon!

The Glencoe PTA is thrilled to announce the final stage of our playground transformation project will break ground on June 8, reopening just in time for the 2026-27 school year!

This moment represents five years of community vision and collaboration. In the first phase of this project, the PTA raised $100k with families and partners. After working closely with the Lower Columbia Estuary and Portland Public Schools, grants for long-term sustainability efforts helped us triple that amount to reimagine a space that supports our community and the environment for years to come.

The new playground has been thoughtfully designed to: 

• Manage stormwater naturally, reducing winter flooding and muddy play areas while protecting our local watershed.

• Create cooler, greener spaces with shade trees and nature-based landscaping. 

• Support gathering and connection with new seating, picnic areas, and open space. 

• Inspire play and movement with a new swing set, dome climbing structure, and durable turf surfacing. 

The play structures were chosen to offer students many different kinds of play within the space and budget available, while reflecting the priorities of families shared during the community design process. The new Quantis A.2 climbing structure creates opportunities for climbing, balancing, perching, gathering, and slide-link movement, giving students some of the same open-ended play experiences as a play mound (one of the initial concepts for the space). The tire swings will be replaced with traditional belt swings and a larger accessible glider swing, enabling both individual and shared movement. “Green islands” surrounding the active play zone will include boulders and logs for nature-inspired exploration. Quieter seating and picnic zones will provide space for conversation and tabletop activities. Together with the new obstacle course added in Summer 2024, these updates will provide various options to engage children and balance different types of play across the playground.

Because of the scale of the construction, the playground will be closed over summer break. Please note: pedestrian access points from Belmont Street, the upper field and the gym will be fenced off and there will be heavy machinery at work. 

We anticipate the depaving and installation will be completed by the start of the new school year in August. We look forward to announcing student planting activities and a community celebration in Fall 2026!

A Moment of Gratitude

This project was made possible completely by volunteer efforts within our Glencoe community. We want to give a special thank you to Whitney Stark and Mackenzie Weintraub, then PTA Co-Presidents and Glencoe parents who kickstarted this project in 2021. Thank you for planting the seeds for this endeavor. 

Most of the initial $100k was generated through small donations from Glencoe families over the years, through fundraisers like The Run for the Playground, raffles, and other PTA events. We are also grateful for our small business sponsors: Oregon Foot Clinic, Akos Construction, Mr. Plywood, Advantis Credit Union and Sarathon: Running with Sara.

Much gratitude to our partners, whose resources and expertise amplified our community vision, including Portland Public Schools, Nike’s Community Impact Fund, the City of Portland's Percent for Green program and Juncus Studio’s RISE Schoolyard program. Special thanks to the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership for managing the contracts and construction process, and bringing significant cost-sharing to expand our efforts as part of their EPA-funded program for stormwater retrofits at schools.  

Finally, we wish to recognize the PTA playground committee members: 

• Abe Cambier, who led our community design efforts and contributed countless hours of professional expertise to ensure the final design reflects the priorities and values of students and families;

• Principal Katie Gunderson and Sara Gardner, who served as the voice of Glencoe staff, bringing their understanding of student needs and recess play to the project;

• Susie DesSommes, who contributed professional knowledge of plants and landscape design to ensure the playground will serve as an enduring green space; and

• Kristin Prukop, currently on the Glencoe PTA Board, who worked tirelessly to secure grants and partnerships along the way, and shepherded this project to the finish line.

We are proud of this community’s continued work and grateful to the families whose early contributions will benefit Glencoe students today and into the future. 

Warmly,

The Glencoe PTA

Caption: Example images of the Flexx and Arch swings.