See all the photos here at our Facebook album.

On the first day of summer camp, Monday, July 1, 2019, at 11:30 AM, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Congressman Jim Himes, Norwalk Common Council member Greg Burnett, State Representative Will Haskell, Doug Adams (Brookfield Properties), Vernece Richardson (King Industries), Stanley Seligson (Seligson Properties), Carver leaders and guests gathered together to officially open the new playground at the Carver Community Center.

Following a successful fundraising drive led by student volunteers at New Canaan High School, the new playground is now ready for Carver’s summer camp students to enjoy. Our new playground has all the latest safety and fun learning features for K-5 aged children, including a new padded surface that ties together all the pieces of the playground. A plaque affixed to the play set includes the names of the student volunteers and the playground donors, including Edward Harney, King Industries, Matthew & Sarah Schimenti, Seligson Properties, the Shoff Foundation, Janine Smith, and the Richard & Barbara Whitcomb Foundation.

Carver's previous playground was built decades ago for pre-kindergarten children. Ask children, “How was school today?” and you’re likely to hear about what they experienced in playtime. In Carver after school and summer programs, play can include robotics and many other hands-on project-based activities, but we never lose sight of the fundamental value of play as it’s been understood and enjoyed through the centuries. For many children, the time on the playground represents the emotional core of their day. Researchers say that one of the best predictors of whether kids feel happy in school is whether they feel comfortable and competent during play.