Building Belonging: How David Douglas Used Facilities Funding to Create Playgrounds for All
When David Douglas School District (DDSD) made the decision to offer full-time preschool in every elementary school, they weren’t just adding a new grade level, they were reimagining what school could look like for their youngest learners. That meant more than classroom space. It meant rethinking lunchrooms, restrooms, and perhaps most importantly: playgrounds.
Preschoolers can’t safely use equipment designed for older students, and “making it work” wasn’t an option. “If preschool was going to happen at David Douglas,” said district administrator Kristi Byfield, “we needed to create spaces that were actually built for them.” With help from Preschool for All’s Facilities Fund, DDSD did exactly that, building five fully accessible, inclusive preschool playgrounds across the district.
Why Facilities Matter
Often overlooked, the physical environment plays a huge role in children’s learning and development. For preschoolers, outdoor play isn’t just fun – it’s foundational to their early learning experience. Climbing, swinging, scooting, and exploring help build motor skills, confidence, and connection.
But designing preschool spaces requires care. The equipment must be safe, developmentally appropriate, and inviting to children of all abilities. That takes time, intention, and funding.
DDSD began this journey with state funds from the Oregon Department of Education, Head Start, and Early Kindergarten Transition programs. But between pandemic delays, inflation, and rising construction costs, the playgrounds became more expensive than anyone expected.
That’s where Preschool for All’s Facilities Fund came in, with grants totaling just under $357,000 to support the five playground projects. Created to support the infrastructure needed to expand access to preschool, the fund allowed DDSD to finish what they started, without compromising quality or accessibility.
What the Project Made Possible
In summer 2024, DDSD completed five new preschool playgrounds at West Powellhurst, Ventura Park, Menlo Park, Gilbert Heights, and Gilbert Park Elementary Schools. Each one was designed with inclusion in mind:
- Trike paths circle the playground, offering space to ride and explore
- Swings of all kinds – adaptive swings, belt swings, and bucket swings – give every child the chance to soar
- Communication boards allow students with limited speech to share what they want to do and how they’re feeling
- Recycled rubber surfacing makes the space safe and accessible for wheelchairs and walkers
- Intentional design reflects DDSD’s colors and culture, connecting the playgrounds to the broader school community
High school students even helped build the communication boards! Woodshop and metal shop students lent their skills to this district-wide project.
A Vision for Community
For Byfield and the DDSD team, this was never just about meeting regulations, it was about building belonging. “We want our kids and families to see spaces that are made for them,” she said. “When preschoolers walk onto these playgrounds, they know this is their space. That matters.”
The district held ribbon-cutting ceremonies at each site, letting the youngest students celebrate their new spaces with tiny scissors! Families now use the playgrounds after hours too, reinforcing schools as community hubs.
Why Facilities Funding Matters
Projects like this are hard to fund. Grants for capital improvements – things like playgrounds, sinks, and right-sized bathroom features – are rare. And yet, these are the very things that make preschool possible in an elementary school building.
“Supporting students’ independence and empowerment means supporting their environment,” Byfield said. “Where does the soap go? The toilets? The sinks? The swings? These things matter.”
Preschool for All’s Facilities Fund fills a critical gap, helping districts like David Douglas – and smaller providers, too – build spaces that are safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate. The process can be complex, but Byfield encourages others to dive in. “Ask the questions,” she said. “Talk to the grant officers at BuildUp Oregon. Tap into the people who’ve done it before.”
Looking Ahead
In five years, DDSD hopes these playgrounds are still going strong, as well-loved community spaces that reflect the care and intention behind them. “We want families to feel respected, supported, and seen,” Byfield said. “And we want kids to have spaces where they can grow, move, and belong.”
Thanks to collaboration, creativity, and the support of Preschool for All’s Facilities Fund, that vision is already taking shape.
