BOONE, Iowa—Neighbors of the now-vacant Page Elementary School have likely noticed that the playground equipment is gone.

The building’s new owner – The Capstone Group, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization – plans to
repurpose the abandoned campus into an apartment building starting early in 2025 with 28 units that will not receive government rent assistance. The company was told by its insurance carrier that the playground equipment had to go, Capstone President Mike Michaud said.

“Fortunately, word reached us through the Boone Community School District that a local church was interested in the equipment. We were very happy to donate it to the church,” he added.

And so, on Nov. 11, approximately a dozen church members convened at the playground and removed a wide assortment of swings, slides, playhouses, and other items.

“They did a beautiful job of removing the equipment,” Michaud said. “We appreciate their hard work, and we’re gratified to know that the equipment will be put to good use at its new home.”

The Boone Parks Department had looked at the equipment previously, but discovered that relocating the equipment would have been costly with many pieces needing to be rehabilitated to meeting current safety standards.