BURLINGTON, N.C. -- Behind the caution tape is the old playground equipment at Newline Elementary.
As the rust shows, the gear is in the past but the school is looking ahead.
"We now have a new playground in the community where we can be active," said fifth grader Jazmine Molina, who was practicing her speech for the new playground's dedication.
The playground is divided in three sections good for any age.
"The musical instruments [is] one section. Another section is for pre-K and 2,3,4,5 year olds," explained Larry Conte, Newlin’s principal. "Another section that's actually for older kids that has some top of the line climbing apparatus spin things."
The musical instruments and jungle gym isn't just for students at Newlin during recess but the entire county.
"We want families to come here to play, to picnic, to socialize," Conte said. “We want it to be like a community center where it's open all of the time."
Alamance is just one of seven counties in the state that has allowed for elementary playgrounds to be open after school hours.
"The wellness collaborative worked with the school system to pass a community use policy," explained Tracey Grazyer, Impact Alamance’s president. "What that means is all elementary school playgrounds are all open to the public."
Conte believes with the change of police and new equipment it will bring the neighborhood closer together by talking more.
"We wanted people to talk to each other to get to know each other and find out that we're not any different," Conte said. "We all want the same thing."
Those things are to make sure the kids in the area are safe, learning, and healthy.
"Our priority is to invest into neighborhoods to make sure they have access to healthy play," Grayzer said.
Now the kids have better gear for healthy play.