By: Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
A playground for all Hillsborough children, including those with special needs, will soon be a reality in Ann Van Middlesworth Park, once $48,000 of equipment for it is installed in the park.
”With this purchase, not only is it going to benefit the children who are special needs, but the typical children as well,” Committeeman Anthony Ferrara, who introduced the playground concept, said. “We tried to look at all kinds of disabilities. We didn’t want to have cousins or siblings come to this town and not be able to play on the playground.”
The Township Committee approved the purchase of 27 Americans with Disabilities Act accessible playground components for children ages two to 12, at a $48,154.80 price tag, from George Ely Associates, Inc during its Monday meeting. The equipment will be installed in Ann Van Middlesworth Park, on Pleasant View Road, with a tentative October installation date.
The purchase price is about $17,000 below the cost estimated for the equipment, and is funded through grants and donations, and developer contributions for the project, according to a release from the township. The entire project included a rubberized ground cover and other equipment is estimated to cost around $100,000.
Mr. Ferrara credited residents Jeff and Beth Baldwin with soliciting many of the donations and grants for the equipment. The township also held several fundraisers to generate money for the project. Since the township did not need to hire a consultant, and intends to have volunteers build the playground, it was able to save money on fees, too.
”We realized with the good folks here, we could do it at a third of the cost,” Mr. Ferrara said.
Dr. Stuart Hirsch, Bridgewater orthopedic surgeon, initially brought the project to Mr. Ferrara’s attention, and said physicians working through the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons built 10 of the playgrounds in various cities. The playgrounds combine safety standards with new design principles, making it accessible for all children, according to Dr. Hirsch. The playgrounds are designed to have age-specific areas for various kids, and contains a wheelchair-accessible ramp, signs written in Braille, and other amenities for those who are disabled.
The township is still raising money for the rubberized play area surface, however. Individuals or groups interesting in contributing to the project can contact the Hillsborough Parks and Recreation Office at 908-369-4832.

