Students, parents and city officials gathered at the ECCL today to unveil the latest amenity to the facility. “Wallholla” is a new vertical play structure designed and manufactured in the Netherlands and is only the second installed in the U.S.. The structure is ideal for more compact and urban spaces like the ECCL because of its relatively small footprint and multi-activity function.
In attendance to oversee the ribbon-cutting ceremony was Alameda County Office of Education Superintendent L. Karen Monroe. Monroe noted the benefits of the structure including encourage physical activity which some studies have linked to school performance. “This is the icing on the cake of this facility and helps the kids feel like school is something that values them.” Monroe overseas all 18 school districts in our county.
EUSD Superintendent Dr. Rubio and the school board had to lobby to preserve the play structure from being cut from the budget. “It was too important for our children and community members to not have a play structure in this safe, enclosed area of our new facility” he noted through email. Rubio is a former Ed-Tech leader, and a former Teach for America educator.
The structure combines several functions including different types of play and climbing opportunities such as a slide, climbing walls, sliding poles and climbing nets and ropes. The structure can accommodate up to 60 children at a time.
The structure arrived overseas into the port of Los Angeles, and was then transported by freight to Emeryville. Goric Marketing Group manufactures the Wallholla, under license from the Dutch Company Carve, here in the United States.
The EUSD opened its doors to its inaugural class in September of last year and has been applying the finishing touches to make the facility feel more like “home”. In addition to the new play structure, the ECCL recently partnered with StopWaste.org and the Community Rejuvenation Project to create a mural encouraging kids to compost and other conservation practices. This and other murals are part of a larger effort to promote sustainability in our communities.
New mural at the #Emeryville Center of Community Life created in partnership with @stopwasteorg to promote composting and sustainability. pic.twitter.com/SDgntdcNB4
— The E’ville Eye News (@TheEvilleEye) May 18, 2017
The ECCL site and its services were designed for the school district and for city residents. Emeryville’s latest activity guide with a complete list of programming for children and adults can be downloaded from the city’s website.
ABC 7 reporter Amy Hollyfield did a video segment on the structure (Flash required).
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