The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg has announced plans for the construction of three new playgrounds/play areas across the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life.

New play areas for campus participants – plans for which are expected to move forward immediately – include:

  • The Dorothy Firestone Playground, a large play space on the Etter Family Green adjacent to South Hall (The Silver Academy). The Firestone Playground was named in recognition of a Capital Campaign gift by Marcia and Sandy (z”l) Cohen, and will be mainly utilized by The Silver Academy and through youth programming on the campus
  • A mid-sized playground on the Etter Family Green, to be utilized mainly by older Brenner Family Early Learning Center students
  • A smaller play area adjacent to Duncan Hall, for younger ELC students

Additional related projects include:

  • The reconstruction and expansion of the ELC Garden, with a projected groundbreaking this spring. We are excited to work alongside garden founder Jodie Raffensperger in planning and moving forward the development of this important community asset
  • Fencing of the Etter Family Green, a crucial security and safety measure which is anticipated to be completed around June 2025
  • The addition of further physical security infrastructure

In anticipation of these efforts, a committee representing a variety of stakeholders has been working in partnership with our landscape architecture firm to draft and finalize the site plans.

More than $300,000 across four grants will be instrumental in making these projects immediately possible.

The majority of the funds for this project will be provided through a $200,000 Neighborhood Assistance Program grant, sponsored by Capital Blue Cross, which was announced last month. Additional funding sources include a PCCD Non-Profit Security Grant ($82,567), Dauphin County Local Shares Municipal Grant ($37,500), and a PA Department of Agriculture Farm-to-School grant ($15,000).

We look forward to sharing progress with you as these exciting projects develop and come to fruition.