During the summer of 2007, the new school-term officers of the PTO for W.J. Carroll Intermediate School met with Principal Dana Horst to discuss their mission for the upcoming school year. It was unanimously decided that all endeavors would focus on the purchase of a new playground for the students of the school.   The previous wooden playground had deteriorated so badly that it was removed prior to Hurricane Ivan’s arrival in September 2004 and the playground was never replaced.

Over the next two years, the PTO Board and members spent considerable time and effort on raising the funds to finance a new playground. In October 2008, a playground committee was formed. At the request of the committee, Elizabeth Jennings, physical education teacher, started her search for age-appropriate playground equipment that would enhance her classes, be fun for the students and affordable to be built in multiple phases. A specific playground structure was selected and, in December 2008, the planning and selection phase was completed. 

In January, Playworld Systems, associated with Southern Playgrounds, of Marietta, Ga., awarded W.J. Carroll the first Eco Armour Grant valued at $10,000. The grant was awarded to build an environmentally green PVC-free playground for a school without an existing playground, and allowed the PTO to purchase two of the four planned phases at one time.

In April, with assistance from the city of Daphne and Riviera Utilities, pre-construction began under the leadership of Jay and Becky Parke. American Bridge Company and Bayou Concrete donated all materials used for the construction. The weekend of May 1-2, volunteers consisting of parents, teachers, administrators and bus drivers worked 18 hours to complete the new playground construction — three separate structures: a 17-foot tall Pentaweb, a handicap accessible swing set with four swings and a Challenger Fitness Set.   All three structures are coated with the eco-friendly, PVC-free plastic coating. After the construction was completed, many volunteer man-hours were spent raking and spreading mulch for the safety carpet under all the playground structures.

The school gave thanks to the following PTO officers: Elizabeth Lemieux, president 2007-09; Lisa Skeen, vice president 2007-08; Leslie Spradlin, vice president 2008-09; Cindy Rose, treasurer 2007-09; Gina Haley, secretary 2007-08; Lydia Barber, secretary 2008-09; Principal Dana Horst; Assistant Principal Keri Shofner; and Physical Education Teacher Elizabeth Jennings.

Volunteers throughout the two-year endeavor included Kirby and Stephanie Sternfels; Patsy Yarborough; Rachel and Aaron Rowell; Scott Spradlin; Dan Rose; Dean Lemieux; Merle Davis; Sandy Morris; Tasha Quinnelly; Paree Yazdi; Chris and Bridget Graham; Jeff Barber; Todd Skeen; Byron Haley; Tamara Barrow; Ana Alvarez; Topie Cassady; Karen Cross; Karen Wolfe; Terry and Tessa Godwin: Pam and Jim Ayres; Jay and Becky Parke; Mark and Debbie Bell; Sondra Gentry; John Welborn;  Bob Czyszon; Ken Basque; Ronald Nero; Terrence Watts; Lorraine van Vleet; LeBarren East; American Bridge; Taylor Barber; Jean-Michael Lemieux; South Alabama Orthodontics; Dr. Michael and Mrs. Linda McDuffie; Dr. Glenn H. Glass; Daphne  Public Works Department; The city of Daphne; Riviera Utilities; and all the children and families who came out in the heat to rake and spread mulch.

Thanks also were offered to parents who helped with all the fundraisers for the past two years.