MCS Planning Next Elementary Playground As Effort Continues to Save the "Maze Craze"

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh school officials are discussing the plans for a new playground at the elementary school, while parents and others are still trying to save the current playground at the school.

Superintendent Mark Place recently gave board members results of a survey on the proposed playground to be built behind the school in the location of the former Little League field. The new playground is expected to be completed during the 2026-27 school year.

"We recently gathered input from families, staff, and students to help guide the design phase of our new playground as part of the approved capital project," Mr. Place told board members at their June 11 meeting.

Survey participation included 32 responses from families and staff along with more than 140 ideas from first through sixth grade students during June recesses, Mr. Place said.

Top priorities form families and staff included:

* Creative play: musical instruments, sandboxes, and sensory paths.

* Physical activity: climbing features, rope bridges, and ziplines.

* Quiet areas: shaded seating, picnic sports, lookout towers.

* Accessibility: inclusive features such as ground-level equipment, ramps, and sensory-friendly zones.

Student feedback included a strong preference for dynamic and active play elements such as: giant slides, monkey bars, climbing walls, tunnels, tire swings, merry-go-rounds, balance beams, quiet spaces, shaded areas, and water features.

Other creative ideas included Parkour setups, trampolines, hopscotch, musical play, and seesaws.

"Overall, our goal is to create an inclusive, engaging playground that reflects the voices of our students and community," Mr. Place said.

While MCS officials start the design of the next playground, an online petition continues to attract signers to save the Maze Craze playground at the elementary school. District officials are planning to commemorate, and then "decommission" the wooden playground in about two years, but signers of the petition are asking the district to save the playground, that was built in 1989.

As of Wednesday, 583 people signed the petition titled "Save the Maze Craze Playground-Middleburgh, NY."

The petition reads, "The Maze Craze playground has been a vital part of the Middleburgh, NY community for years. This charming playground is not just a playground; it’s a place where children laugh, friendships are formed, and everlasting memories are created. Tearing down this playground would mean losing a piece of our community’s heart and a place our children have come to cherish.

"The community raised $60,000 for the project and community volunteers came together to build The Maze Craze in just FIVE days. The Maze Craze is a testament to community spirit and joint effort. This playground provides a safe environment for kids and is one of the few spots in Middleburgh that is accessible to all families regardless of their socio-economic status. Furthermore, playgrounds like The Maze Craze are essential for children's physical development, providing a necessary outlet for exercise and social interaction."

The writers of the petition offered options instead of removing the playground.

"Instead of demolition, let's consider refurbishing and updating the structures to meet any new safety regulations. This approach respects the community's desire to maintain their beloved Maze Craze while addressing any underlying concerns about safety or modernization."

They are asking school board members to reconsider.

"We urge the Middleburgh School Board to reconsider the decision to tear down The Maze Craze playground. By signing this petition, you're helping preserve an invaluable part of our town's heritage and supporting the well-being of future generations. Please sign this petition today to make a stand for our community's future and our children's joy."

In June, Mr. Place said that the district does not comment on social media posts directly.

"As you know, we’ve been transparent about the plan since January, and the community showed its support by approving Capital Project 2026 at the polls."

Earlier this year, Mr. Place said, "The plan for now is to address any safety concerns that were identified by our health and safety coordinator from BOCES.

"We have already removed the center tree, and today (in late May) we ground down two stumps that were tripping hazards. Over the summer we will continue working on the list of repairs that were identified.

"The Maze Craze will continue to be used until such time that the new playground is opened sometime in the 2026-2027 school year. We will gather community input as to how to celebrate the decommissioning of the Maze Craze once we get closer to that time."