Family Playground Use Guidelines (Updated Summer 2025)

The playground is funded and maintained by the Eliot Chapel Nursery School (ECNS) and is designed primarily for the needs of children ages six (6) and under in mind.  

During Social/Coffee Hour or following program activities on Sundays:

• Parents/caregivers may take their children to the playground following worship services and Religious Education programming.  The following guidelines are in effect while on the playground:  

• Children on the playground should be accompanied by their parents or caregivers, OR another adult designated by parents/caregivers.  At no time should children be on the playground unattended.   The Religious Education staff are unable to assume supervisory responsibility and oversight of the playground during Social/Coffee Hour.

• Children and families using the playground on Sunday are asked to make sure the space is left ready for ECNS to use on Monday morning (items picked up, any toys put where they were originally stored, cars and wagons parked by the boat, etc.).   The playground functions primarily as the ECNS classroom space and is used extensively by children and teachers on weekdays.

• Parents and caregivers are responsible for their children’s behavior and actions towards other individuals and the playground space.  

• Parents/caregivers who gather on the playground are encouraged to set up a system of supervision amongst themselves to best ensure safety and minimize the risk of injury or property damage.  

• Special nursery school projects or items (flower pots, stumps, plantings, artwork, displays, etc.) should not be played with.  Any items in the storage shed should not be used (the shed is usually locked, so this is unlikely to be an issue).

• The blue fiberglass boat is fragile.  Young children may play inside the boat.   Individuals should not sit or stand on the bow (front) section of the boat, as this could cause expensive damage.

• If damage to equipment or property occurs, parents and caregivers, OR the community as a whole, are asked to assume financial responsibility for repairing or replacing the item(s).   Parents/caregivers should notify Eliot staff if this occurs so appropriate notifications can be shared and arrangements made with ECNS personnel.

• A first aid kit is located by the glass door leading to the playground and in the Eliot Chapel Nursery.  Kits contain standard items plus sting relief cream (for insect stings), eye wash, and burn cream.

Special Events (non-Sunday morning usage)

• Individuals, families, or Eliot groups wishing to use the playground during a non-Sunday morning time should submit their request at least one month (30 days) in advance to the Director of Religious Education.  Significant advance notice is needed since ECNS often hosts events or open playtime for their families.  These dates and times may be booked well in advance, pending the calendar at the time of the request.   Any requests will be considered jointly on a case-by-case basis by the D.R.E and the Eliot Chapel Nursery School Director (Scott Stewart & Colleen Gilliland in 2024-25).   Please note that, as of summer 2025, playground events are limited to families who are participating in ECNS and/or the Eliot Chapel Religious Education (RE) program.

*These guidelines  were updated during summer 2025 by Scott Stewart (Eliot Chapel) and Colleen Gilliland (ECNS).