Before Maricopa Unified School District spread six elementary schools (seven when Alma Farrell Innovation Academy opens next month) across town, the district’s youngest students all shared one playground off Honeycutt Avenue. 

This undated family photo shows the old Maricopa Unified Schools playground, now the site of the current Maricopa Elementary School playground. Submitted by 28-year-old Homestead resident Terese Bochat, the photo shows Bochat as a child with her aunt, captured by her grandmother. 

“It was Maricopa Elementary School’s old playground before they built the new Maricopa Elementary in Alterra,” Bochat said. “I’m not sure how many people knew all the grade schools used to be in just one area!”