When Park Avenue School elementary students get out to play this spring they will truly have something to celebrate - a brand new playground!

Students recently beamed with joy after hearing that their old and outdated play area will be replaced with a brand new one. At a special ground breaking ceremony, New York State Senator Michael Balboni joined Superintendent of Schools Dr. Constance Clark; Assistant Superintendent of Business and Management Services Mary Lagnado; Board of Education President Floyd Ewing, III; Board of Education Vice President Adelaide Brinson; board trustee Connie LoCascio; and North Hempstead Town Councilman and former Board of Education president Robert Troiano, Jr., to personally announce the great news about their new playground.

"Every kid needs to have a safe place to have fun and let loose, and that place will be the new playground at Park Avenue School," Senator Balboni said. "It's a great investment in our community, and I'm glad I was able to make it happen."

Since Westbury School District has been unable to fund new play facilities for Park Avenue due to budgetary constraints, Senator Balboni first announced last year that he secured the state grant totaling $150,000 for the much needed playground. The new playground is replacing the more than 25-year old recreational area, which has become obsolete and decrepit over the years and now offers one swing for more than 650 students.

"We are grateful to Senator Balboni for making our new playground possible," said Park Avenue School Principal Gloria Dingwall. "The children are excited about the news and can't wait to play on it."

"Westbury School District thanks Senator Balboni for his perseverance in securing this new playground for our children," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Constance Clark. "I know our boys and girls are really going to enjoy it!"

Park Avenue is the third school within the Westbury School District to receive a grant for a playground from Senator Balboni - Drexel Avenue School received funding in 2000 and Powells Lane School in 2002.

In appreciation of the Senator's support, students performed a special song to thank the Senator and presented him with homemade cards and pictures.