Improvements are continuing at Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s (SMBSD) outdoor recreation spaces, with the new Rice Elementary playgrounds now open and in use by students.

Amenities feature a larger kindergarten playground with a fresh green space, and the upper-grade playground (possibly the largest in the district) with 16 swings.

The previous Rice Elementary playground equipment was installed in 1997. Ground was broken on the new project at Rice in June 2025.

“The new structures support many students being engaged and active at a time,” said Rice Principal Tiffany Crane. “We appreciate the accessibility due to the ramps and wide walkways, as well as the removal of wood chips.

“The shade structure is providing some much-needed sun protection. Our soccer fields have never been emptier.”

New playgrounds opened at four other SMBSD playgrounds earlier this year, and shade structures have been installed at all SMBSD campuses.

The new playgrounds and shade structures were made possible through one-time block grant money.