Elected officials broke ground Thursday on a new playground at Markham Intermediate School in Port Richmond.

Officials said it's the result of a bi-partisan effort to secure more than $1.5 million dollars in city funds.

The new playground will include a synthetic turf field with a painted track surrounding it.

Plans also call for new basketball courts and space to hold outdoor classes.

According to the school’s principal, kids were not permitted to venture onto the playground because of its poor condition.

The new playground is expected to be ready for kids to use June 2020.