MOUNT VERNON — Collaboration and cooperation between community groups combined to create a safer play area for pupils in the Knox County Educational Service Center preschool class located in the New Hope Early Education Center.

One of several ventures funded this year through an Ohio Learn and Serve grant, the preschool project was spearheaded by teacher aide Joely Lepley. She coordinated the efforts to turn the weedy dirt surrounding the playground equipment into a more child-friendly surface.