NPR: These students raised hundreds of thousands to make their playground accessible

March 3, 2023

Glen Lake Elementary Principal Jeff Radel, students Caleigh Brace, Hadley Mangan, Raqiya Haji, teacher Betsy Julien; and student John Buettner, (front) pose for a portrait during a visit to Landscape Structures in Delano, Minn. Photo by Caroline Yang for NPR

Betsy Julien's class reached their $300,000 goal in a matter of weeks, and have increased it twice since then. Now, they aim to raise $1 million so they can completely transform their playground.

Anything they raise beyond their goal will go towards accessible equipment at neighboring schools, "because if they see us doing this, they're going to want a playground, too," says student Raqiya Haji.

Last week, Julien and Glen Lake Principal Jeff Radel loaded the students into two school buses for a field trip to tour the manufacturing plant that will make their playground a reality. They got to see how the equipment is built and even got to color in a blueprint of the playground design.

Fifth grader Caleigh Brace says she's most excited about the wheelchair-accessible zipline. Raqiya Haji can't wait to see the merry-go-round, which will be installed this summer along with a swing.

John Buettner (front), looks at sample playground designs with other students while on a tour at Landscape Structures in Delano, Minn. Photo: Caroline Yang for NPR