Students at Grand Mound Elementary School now have a new “gaga pit” on their playground thanks to a donation from PARR Lumber Rochester, according to a Grand Mound Boosters news release.
Gaga pits are enclosed hexagonal or octagonal arenas with short walls used to play gaga ball — a dodge ball-like game which has been gaining popularity over the past few years in playgrounds nationwide. The game is believed to have originated in Jewish summer camps according to the New York Times.
In gaga, basic rules dictate players gather in the pit where a ball is dropped in. Once the ball has bounced three times, players then try to grab the ball to hit other players with it and knock them out of the pit.
According to Grand Mound Boosters President Nicole Slaby, efforts to get a gaga pit built at the school first began after the Boosters voted to fund construction of one in 2025.
“Last June, our Boosters voted to dedicate funds toward adding a gaga pit to the Grand Mound Elementary playground. It’s been a community effort,” Slaby said in the release.
PARR Lumber Rochester General Manager Tyler Balm was happy to be a part of that effort, as his store donated the wood used to build the gaga pit.
“At the end of the day, we’re more than just a lumber yard — we’re part of this community,” Balm said. “Supporting our local schools and students is something we truly value, and we hope this donation brings a lot of smiles and laughter.”
The gaga pit isn’t just available to Grand Mound Elementary School students either, as Slaby added Rochester School District policy allows community members to use school playground equipment during daylight hours after classes end for the day.
Grand Mound Elementary School Principal Dan Aragon stated he felt the project highlighted both the community and school district’s ability to collaborate.
“Thanks to the early vision of our Boosters, crucial guidance from our school office, collaboration from district leadership, incredible generosity of local partners like PARR Lumber and hard work of parents, we have built something truly special. We are thrilled to provide our students with an exciting new space to channel their energy, helping them return to the classroom ready to learn,” Aragon said
“This was truly a community effort! This project was made possible through the support of parents/families, along with the help of volunteers, school staff, and community partners,” Grand Mound Boosters board member Summer Steelhammer added. “We are excited to see students and families enjoying the new gaga ball pit for years to come.”
Grand Mound Boosters is an all-volunteer nonprofit focused on supporting educational and enrichment opportunities for Grand Mound Elementary School students. The Boosters meet on the second Tuesday of each month starting at 6 p.m. at the school’s library. For more information, visit their website at https://www.gmesboosters.com/.
PARR Lumber Rochester is located at 19523 Sargent Road SW in Rochester. To learn more, visit the business’ website at https://parr.com/locations/rochester-washington-lumber/.
