With a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 6, Monte Vista Elementary School unveiled a new, state-of-the-art playground for its students to enjoy.

Hope School District Educational Foundation (HSDEF) and Monte Vista PTA teamed up to raise funds to replace the aging playground. The new equipment was made possible thanks to the generosity of community members.

At the opening event, students tried out all of the apparatus, with the zip line being a favorite.

Chris Larkin, a Monte Vista parent and HSDEF president, played a key role in selecting equipment that would please the students.

“I am a parent of elementary aged kids, but I am also a kid at heart, so I had fun choosing the elements to add to the playground,” Larkin said.

“This is the best playground ever!” one student exclaimed after playing on it for the first time.