Red Mill hosts a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, September 14 for its new playground.

The East Greenbush Central School District officially opened the new Red Mill Elementary School playground at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday morning. All students and staff attended the event so they could see the new playground and celebrate this important upgrade to the school grounds.

The playground sits in the same location as the old playground but features a sidewalk around the entire playground – including a new pathway up to the school – and new playground structures with slides, swings, monkey bars, climbers, and spinners. Importantly, it also has accessible play areas so individuals with disabilities can also enjoy the playground. The perimeter of the playground has swinging benches and picnic tables.

The new playground is part of Phase 2 of the “Building a Bright Future” Capital Project.

Red Mill Principal James Derby led the ceremony, addressing students and staff gathered on the hillside above.

“What an incredible morning at Red Mill!” said Principal James Derby. “The weather was perfect, the kids were electric, and our student speakers completely stole the show. Seeing the excitement on everyone’s faces made the wait during that first week so worth it. Thank you to Dr. Kotes, our Board of Education, LaBella Associates, Turner Construction, and especially Mrs. Squillace for joining us to cut the ribbon. Our new playground is a true community effort. We’re so excited to finally see our kids out there making memories on it!”

Special guest and recently retired Red Mill Principal Helen Squillace helped cut the ribbon with Mr. Derby.

Mrs. Squillace led the Red Mill Playground Planning Committee that helped design the new playground.

“It was an honor to come back and see the result of the careful work and planning that our committee members – parents, staff and especially our students – put into this absolutely beautiful playground,” Mrs. Squillace said. “It is a sight to see, one that Red Mill students and the community will enjoy for many generations to come.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kurtis Kotes and Red Mill 5th graders Ellery Lindberg and Lucas Chaung also spoke at the ceremony.

Moments after the ribbon cutting, pre-k students ran onto the playground for recess and became the first students to enjoy it. All other grades would use the playground later in the day.

Special thanks to the Red Mill Playground Committee, school staff, the Facilities Department, the Business and Finance Department, former Principal Helen Squillace, the Board of Education, and our construction partners LaBella Associates and Turner Construction!