Parish Expands School Playground Area

Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new Elin Cooke Playground

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On Wednesday, September 17, 2014, faculty, staff, students, and parishioners of Ss. Robert and William, along with neighbors, family, and friends of Elin Cooke, gathered in the grove area for a ground breaking ceremony.  The Elin Cooke Memorial Playground is a playground that is being built for the benefit of the students, parishioners, and surrounding community as a place for kids to be kids, and come to enjoy healthy, safe, physical activity. 

The new, state of the art playground will accommodate up to 100 children at a time, with 23 different activities.  It will be ADA compliant and the playground is expected to be ready for use in early spring of 2015.  Funds for the playground have been donated by several significant donors, the children of the school through a walk-a-thon and read-a-thon, and most recently through donations to honor and memorialize Elin Cooke.

Elin was a resident of Euclid, parishioner, and school parent.  Most importantly, Elin loved children and desired for this community to be a strong, vibrant place for children.  Elin was a champion of the playground project.  Elin recently passed away after a heroic battle with cancer in which she taught all of us to face challenges with grace, dignity and never let it stop our joy!  It is only fitting that the school playground will be named after this phenomenal woman.  Fr John D. Betters, Pastor, reflects “Our hope is her spirit of infectious joy and love will live on for generations of children as they enjoy this playground.”  `

Under a beautiful, sunny, cool, autumn afternoon, the Cooke family gathered with Fr. John Betters, staff, Council President Kristen Holzheimer Gail and contributors, Jane Monreal, from Monreal Funeral Home, to break ground with personalized, pink shovels while a crowd of supporters looked on with encouragement and gratitude for this generous addition to our community.  Ss. Robert and William Catholic School & Parish is located at 367 East 260th Street, Euclid, Ohio 44132, 216.731.1515, www.srwschool.cc, or www.srweuclid.cc.  Additional photos can be found on Facebook, like us and watch for us on Twitter and Instagram coming soon.