Athens Intermediate School hasn’t had a playground since they opened in the mid-1990s, but that is all about to change. The school has big plans to build the district’s first inclusive playground that will include equipment that can accommodate disabled students.

The school has come up with all sorts of creative ways to raise money for the $50,000 project, which includes a 200 meter walking track, but none quite as ambitious as its upcoming Olympic Fun Run.

Students have been taking pledges from friends and family to raise money for the Nov. 3 race for weeks. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the classes that raise the most money.

“We are hoping for a big turn out” said AIS mom Deborah McMurtey, who is heading up the playground project. “The run is our last big fundraising push before we buy the equipment. This is an incredible opportunity for our students to leave a legacy behind for their younger siblings and friends,” she said.

People can put donations in the giant shoes that will be sprinkled throughout the campus the day of the race or they can give online at www.acs-k12.org/ais.

Principal Mitzi Dennis, who will conduct the opening ceremony, trusts parents and teachers will run with their kids or cheer them on from the sidelines.

“As for me, I will definitely be right in there running with them in my red, white and blue Olympic outfit,” Dennis said.

McMurtey is passionate about building a safe place for the students at AIS, especially since grades will be shifted around next year making the school a fourth- and fifth-grade campus.

Making sure the playground includes equipment for disabled children was essential according to McMurtey, who believes no child “should feel left out.” Along with the traditional monkey bars and slides, the AIS playground will include accessible pieces like a wheel platform chair swing and TransGlide.

“Disabled students can’t play on a normal playground,” Laura Viers, a special education teacher at AIS said. “But a playground like this breaks down barriers, allowing my students to interact and learn social skills from their non-disabled peers while teaching non-disabled students empathy.”

McMurtrey is confident the fun run will bring them close to their $30,000 goal and hopes the playground and running track will be completed by early next year.

Eventually, Dennis would like to see a restroom, more play equipment, a music sensory center and outdoor classroom added to the playground area.