For Immediate Release: November 10, 2025
Media Contact:
Donna Barrow, Director
Rutland County Head Start / Early Head Start
Phone: 503-756-7006
Email: [email protected]
Rutland, VT — Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start are pleased to announce the opening of a new state-of-the-art playground at its Meadow Street location. This exciting project marks the first time the program has received dedicated funding to enhance its outdoor play environment, made possible through one-time support from the Office of Head Start.
“We’re thrilled to see this beautiful new playground come to life,” said Dick Courcelle, Chief Executive Officer of Community Care Network, which oversees Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start. “It’s more than a play space—it’s a place where children will grow, imagine, and build foundational skills for lifelong learning and wellness.”
The playground represents a collaborative effort between Community Care Network’s finance and facilities departments, program leadership, and early childhood experts. “This project reflects how fortunate we are to be a part of Community Care Network, the region’s designated mental health agency and parent organization to Rutland Community Programs and Rutland Mental Health Services,” said Donna Barrow, Director of Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start.
She added that the project showcases the expertise of Rutland County Head Start’s content area managers in education, health, safety, disabilities, and family services, all of whom contributed to the design and planning.
Education Manager Missy Burke drew on her deep knowledge of child development to help envision a play environment that supports children from infancy through pre-kindergarten. She worked closely with Miracle Playground Designer, Justin Mansfield and Community Care Network Facilities Director, Randy Crossman, who oversaw the construction and found innovative ways to make the most of the site’s limited footprint.
“Working with Justin to bring this playground to life was a rewarding challenge,” said Crossman. “The space was small and uneven, but through creative design and collaboration we turned it into something truly special, safe, functional, and full of opportunities for exploration.”
“Once it was just cracked pavement and chain-link fences,” added Burke. “Now it’s a place where children can climb, jump, explore and take safe risks every day.”
The redesigned space features modern, safe structures that capture children’s curiosity and imagination. The main climbing structure includes climbing boulders, ladders and platforms that play recorded nature sounds when children reach the top. A large sunshade provides protection year-round, while the “Ten Spin,” a modern take on the classic merry-go-round, invites both seated and standing play for up to 10 children at once. The playground also includes an infant “nest” swing designed for sensory and regulatory development, as well as interactive STEM elements such as Chimes, an outdoor xylophone, sensory textured panels and My cup of Tea, featuring levers, pulleys, slides, and switches for kids to manipulate.
In keeping with the program’s tradition of innovative early learning, children will soon document their first experiences in the new playground using child-sized cameras. Guided by the simple prompt “Tell us about the new playground,” they’ll capture black-and-white photographs that reflect the wonder and meaning of their new outdoor environment.
Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start extends its heartfelt thanks to the Office of Head Start, Miracle Playground Construction, and—most importantly—the children who inspired the vision for this joyful new space. The playground was fully licensed on Friday, November 7.
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About Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start
For over 30 years, Rutland County Head Start has been improving the lives of families through a free program of high-quality early childhood education paired with holistic support services. Rutland County Head Start is so much more than a preschool. Head Start (ages 3-5) and Early Head Start (ages 0-3) provide high-quality education, healthy meals, medical and dental screenings, and holistic support for the entire family to prepare your child for kindergarten and beyond. To learn more, visit rutlandcountyheadstart.org.
