New Resilient Playground Surface For Hollister Head Start

In celebration of a new, safer resilient playground surface, Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) Hollister Head Start held a virtual ribbon cutting on Friday, October 23, 2020 at 2:30pm. The ribbon cutting is available to watch at facebook.com/oacacmo.

In August 2020, the OACAC Hollister Head Start Center was awarded a $27,394.55 grant for scrap tire material and delivery for a safe resilient playground surface. OACAC Head Start provided another $26,042.50 plus the cost of removing the mulch surfacing. Together, these funds provided a Poured-In-Place material that will last for years. This event is a celebration of the fabulous surfacing that has been provided for our children with the help of Missouri Department of Natural Resources Waste Management Program.

The Playground Scrap Tire Surface Materials from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Waste Management Program required the use of recycled rubber. The company chosen for the Poured-In-Place safety surfacing manufactured 100% of their recycled rubber from Missouri’s Tire Waste Stream.

One of OACAC Head Start’s strategic goals is to replace wood mulch resilient surfacing in full-year classrooms with a low maintenance solution. The Poured-In-Place surface allows for year-round use of the playground.

The children and staff at the Hollister Head Start Center stated, “We LOVE our new playground surface! Thank you, thank you!”

Head Start is one of OACAC’s seven programs, working to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in Southwest Missouri. In addition to providing comprehensive early childhood education, Head Start offers health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. For more information about Head Start or other OACAC programs and projects, visit www.oac.ac.