Montgomery Cuts Ribbon on Inclusive Playground Built for All Ages and Abilities
Nicholas Mistretta
MONTGOMERY, N.J. — Montgomery Township officially opened its long-awaited all-access playground on Friday, Oct. 24, celebrating the new space with a ribbon-cutting at the Municipal Center in Skillman.
The 11,500-square-foot playground was designed so that residents of all ages and abilities can play, exercise, and socialize together in one fully accessible environment. Mayor Neena Singh, speaking to an enthusiastic crowd, called the project both a point of pride for Montgomery and a model for the region.
“We want all members of our community to be able to enjoy fresh air and fun activities together,” Singh said. “From toddlers to seniors, from parents to grandparents, from children with exceptional abilities to adults using mobility devices, everyone will be able to enjoy this beautiful space. It’s not only the largest playground of its kind in Somerset County, but one of the most forward-thinking community spaces in the region.”
Families from The Rock Brook School — a private, nonprofit school across the street that serves children who are communication-impaired and multiply disabled, ages 3 through 21 — joined township officials and partners at the ceremony.
Montgomery Parks and Recreation Director John Groeger said the goal from the start was true inclusion, not just technical accessibility.
“I feel this is so important because playground and park space should be for everyone,” Groeger said. “The definition of an inclusive playground is a space that’s designed to be welcoming and accessible to children and adults of all abilities, ages and genders. That is our aim for this new playground.”
While all Montgomery playgrounds meet accessibility requirements, township officials said this new site goes beyond what is required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The playground features cushioned turf surfacing that can be easily navigated by wheelchairs and other mobility devices; ramps leading directly to play structures; and a swing bay that includes bucket seats, traditional swings, and high-back, harnessed swings that assist children with exceptional physical needs.
The design also includes outdoor sensory elements that produce sound, a bright and engaging color scheme, a quiet area for rest and regulation, safety fencing around the perimeter, and exercise equipment appropriate for adults and seniors. A new shaded seating area, accessible sidewalk, and nearby dedicated handicapped parking are intended to make the space comfortable not just for children, but for caregivers and older residents as well.
The playground sits to the right of the Municipal Center entrance on Community Drive, off Orchard Road.
The approximately $1.5 million project was funded through a combination of state, county, corporate, and local support. That includes a $750,000 Jake’s Law Grant from the New Jersey Green Acres Program; $350,000 from Somerset County Open Space; $66,000 from New Jersey’s Local Recreation Improvement Fund; and $50,000 from Citizens Bank. An additional $300,000 is earmarked from the township Parks & Recreation Department’s Capital Improvement Fund. The playground was designed by Ben Shaffer Recreation of Lake Hopatcong, N.J.
Mayor Singh also thanked those partners publicly, noting that the project is not just about play, but about community health. The all-access playground advances Montgomery’s participation in the statewide Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, an initiative of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute that helps towns encourage active living and improve overall health. Under Singh’s tenure, Montgomery has earned “Healthy Town” recognition from the Institute.
“This playground represents who we are as a township,” Singh said. “It says that everyone belongs here — and everyone is invited outside.”
