WHY YOU KNOW IT: A fire, an act of arson, left the old playground a smoldering heap of plastic in early June, just days before field day. WHAT'S NEW: As the year comes to an end, children near Richmond's George Mason Elementary are testing the limits of the East End school's fancy, modern playground.
They were doing the same a year ago. The only difference is the equipment.
The $70,000 playground was a total loss after the June fire, thanks to an insurance deductible higher than the replacement cost and a budget crunch that left no money for new equipment.
W.E. Singleton, a retired real estate investor and local philanthropist -- he's the namesake of the performing-arts center at Virginia Commonwealth University -- stepped in and picked up the tab. He did it in honor of his mother, a longtime city employee known as Mrs. Recreation for her work with parks.
"The kids were devastated," said Felicia Cosby, the school-system spokeswoman. "The playground is much more than just the physical hardware. It's really a sign of their innocence."
She said the school system couldn't thank Singleton enough, for the equipment and for the lesson it is allowing them to teach. "We can show them the difference one person can make," she said. "The donation represents the outpouring of community love and concern."
-- Zachary Reid
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