At its Nov. 10 meeting, the Garrett County Board of Education approved Cunningham Recreation to supply and install new playground equipment at Friendsville Elementary School, with a $200,000 state grant covering most of the $204,513.21 cost.
The money comes from a Community Parks and Playgrounds grant through Program Open Space, with the remaining $4,513.21 paid from the school system’s maintenance budget. The equipment is being purchased through the Omnia cooperative contract. Director of System Operations Robert Witt thanked the Town of Friendsville for partnering with the school system to apply for the grant and credited county government staff for their help.
Witt said the old playground will be taken down and the new one will go in the same spot on the right side of the building, installed at ground level. The play area will be surfaced with engineered wood fiber, which is ADA compliant, replacing gravel that isn’t. He said the current equipment has needed repairs in recent years.
According to the project memo, installation is planned between March and May 2027 and should take four to six weeks. A board member thanked the county government and the Town of Friendsville for helping fully fund the project. The board approved the purchase by voice vote with no opposition.
