Jackson Gunter, a third grader at Highland Park Elementary School in Roanoke, has a vision for his local playground.
In his vision, the park is clean, the playground equipment is in tip-top shape and the walkways are safe and intact for kids to run across.
But that hasn’t been Jackson’s experience playing at the Highland Park playground.
In a presentation for Monday’s Roanoke City Council meeting, titled “Updates to Highland Park Playground,” Jackson makes his case for some improvements at the park.
He cites issues such as litter, a broken fence, a brick walkway that is in disrepair, and broken playground equipment. He’s attached photos of trash on the ground and of caution tape wrapped around one section of the play area.
Jackson lists some actions the city is already taking to clean up the park, including plans to replace the broken playground equipment, fencing and sidewalks, as well as cleanup work by city crews.
There are a few other things he’d like to see to improve his park, including “No Littering” signs, and installing more picnic tables and trash cans.
He’s proposed that his fellow students at Highland Park sign a pledge to not litter, and work with the Parent Teacher Association to set up days for families and students to clean up the park.
The last slide, thanking the council, features a photo of Jackson standing in front of his school, smiling with his hands overhead, wearing shorts and a T-shirt.
The council will be accepting a number of grant awards and receiving presentations from various groups during Monday’s 2 p.m. council session, before receiving Jackson’s presentation and holding various public hearings during its 7 p.m. session.
The council’s full agenda for Monday’s meetings is here. Both meetings will be livestreamed on YouTube for those who cannot attend in person.