With an assist from Alderman Edward M. Burke (14th), Nightingale Elementary School in the Gage Park community recently celebrated the installation of two new sets of playground equipment.

Alderman Burke was instrumental in securing funding for the outdoor play sets at the school, 5250 South Rockwell Street.

Alongside Principal Meg Kouretsos, Alderman Burke cut the ceremonial ribbon and then opened the playground gates, allowing throngs of children to begin enjoying the new equipment.

The schoolyard had been without any play equipment for as long as a decade and the new play sets have made a real difference in the lives of children in the neighborhood, school officials said.

“I cannot thank him enough,” an appreciative Kouretsos said.