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For the first time in its history, North American Martyrs School in Monroeville has a playground -- thanks to a generous donation.

Barry and Jen Kessler's son, Noah, has been enrolled at North American Martyrs since he was three. The Kesslers say they wanted to give back to the school for providing a great education to Noah, now seven and a first-grader.

They didn't know what to do, until Noah suggested donating a playground.

"We have watched our son blossom and grow," says Jen Kessler. "We just love this school so much and it has been a blessing to us."

The couple teamed up with parents Vince Vogel, Annette Waldron, Laura Nicolazzo and Terri McCaffrey to design the playground. The parents got ideas from children about what they wanted there.

"Who better to hear from than the experts themselves?" Jen Kessler says with a laugh.

The group consulted with Design Systems Inc. to build the $100,000 structure, which includes a smaller playground for preschool-aged children, a playground for the older children, a twisty slide, bridge, climbing wall, ball toss, monkey bars and picnic tables.

Jen Kessler says her biggest accomplishment will be to see the children playing on the playground.

"We want to bring laughter to the children of the school and the community for years to come," she says.

"We wanted it to be accessible for all -- safe and fun -- and we wanted it to have physical fitness incorporated into it," she said.

Barry Kessler says he hopes the physical education classes can incorporate the new equipment into their curriculum.

The Rev. Joe Luisi, pastor of North American Martyrs Catholic Church, said the new playground is a great thing for the school and the community.

"The Kesslers' generosity and giving has astounded me," he says, "This is a blessing for any child in the surrounding area."

Enrollment at the school is increasing, and a second kindergarten class has been added, Luisi says.

"We wanted to make sure the facility grew along with the number of schools," Barry Kessler said.

Waldron, who acts as the school's development director, said the playground will contribute to further the school's growth.

Luisi agreed.

"It's an eye catcher, and I think it's going to boost our school enrollment," he said.

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