Baton Rouge - The children of Bernard Terrace Elementary get to see their imaginations come to life today. Three years ago, they began their playground plans with the LSU Community Playground Project.

The playground based on the collaboration with LSU Biological Engineering students was built by more than 120 volunteers, including members of the Bernard Terrace Parent-Teacher Association, employees of Capital One, students, faculty and staff from Our Lady of the Lake College, among others.

It is the 30th playground constructed as a result of the LSU Community Playground Project. The initiative was spawned by LSU professor Mary Lima. Guided by her belief that people can accomplish extraordinary things when they do ordinary things together, Lima began the Playground Project to involve elementary and college students in changing their communities by increasing access to play spaces.

"Playgrounds actually increase high-stakes test scores and help kids develop the social skills they need to be successful as adults," she told News 2's Rebecca Buchanan. "When a child plays, they're actually preparing for the world, so we want to give them the best environment to enhance their education and enhance their lives."

A ribbon cutting is at 10 a.m. Monday morning. Organizers with the project say their goal is to upgrade all playgrounds in East Baton Rouge Parish.