Battle Ground’s Central School recycled into construction materials and new park

Battle Ground — The school district is finding cost savings, and even a new parklike public space, in rubble and crushed concrete. The old Central School on Parkway Avenue, about a quarter-mile north of Main Street, was destroyed during a fire department training burn in January. The training burn saved the district demolition costs. Now the remaining pile of crushed concrete and brick is “awaiting a second life,” according to district spokesman Gregg Herrington. Instead of paying for disposal, the district will use the crushed material for various projects, including base material for school and sports-field parking lot renovations. “It means we won’t have to purchase gravel,” said MaryBeth Lynn, assistant superintendent. The new green space will take shape and get seeded in spring.