For many years the children of Linden Elementary have been without one of the most important tools for any elementary school. While students were taken care of in the schools halls there was no place for them to unwind.

Earlier this changed with the addition of new playground equipment. Friday, several key players in obtaining the equipment came together to dedicate the new recreational area for the students.

Linden City School Superintendent Dr. Walter Davis said the new equipment was a milestone for the school.

This is a great day for Linden elementary,” Davis said. “Today we are celebrating the debut of the new playground and that makes it a historical, fulfilling day.”

Davis said the official unveiling was the end of a long journey that required lots of work, prayers and hope.

“This represents the end of a journey and the beginning of a new renaissance,” Davis said. “The playground represents much hard work, persistence and dedication.”

The playground was a true community effort. People from all over Marengo County and the state of Alabama pooled their efforts together to make the playground a reality. However, Davis said there was one person in particular who had burned the midnight oil on the project.

“This is a collaboration of many people starting with the principal and staff here at Linden Elementary,” Davis said. “There is one person I need to single out and it is Mrs. Wanda Fisher, the principal of this school. She had a vision and approached me with it. She had this vision and has been with it every step of the way and been the glue that held it together.”

Fisher said the children were the first who should be thanked for the playground.

“I want to thank you.” Fisher said. “You gave the first dollar for the playground. You sold things and went out in the neighborhood so you were a very important part of the playground.”

The project seemed like an arduous task, however, Fisher said things fell into place faster than expected.

“Actually, this came together a lot faster than we had anticipated,” Fisher said. “We had so many people who played a role and got involved. I can’t say enough about our teachers and how hard they have worked. They just have a genuine love for the students.”

Fisher also added the project was the work of many people coming together for a common cause.

“It has definitely been a community effort,” Fisher said. We had help from Tuscaloosa Toyota, Atlanta and all over. We even had people come from Fort Payne. People all over have come to help us out.”

With everyone who showed for the dedication it was clear a lot of love went into the project. Davis said seeing the playground come together was truly inspiring.

“We want to say thank you to all of you for making this possible,” Davis said. “This playground is proof of what can happen when we come together as a team. You can accomplish whatever you want to if you are willing to come together.”