By Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
A playground allowing special needs children to play with their peers may be the first of its kind in Somerset County, and Hillsborough Township is looking for volunteers to assemble the structure.
”Anytime we do anything, it has to be for everybody,” Committeeman Anthony Ferrara said. “I’ve been working with special needs kids since high school. They were always separated from the other kids. This allows everyone to participate.
”This is just another extension of our Recreation Department,” he added.
A playground build day is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Oct. 24, at Ann Van Middlesworth Park on Pleasant View Road. Those interested in volunteering for the build day can register online at https://register.communitypass.net/reg/login.cfm?a=%23%22.W-%0A&li=&dec=0&ovr=.
Individuals or groups can register to participate in the build day, and Mr. Ferrara has suggested several corporations use the day as an employee community day, he said.
”We’re anticipating between 100 and 200 people,” said Mr. Ferrara, who introduced the project to the Township Committee and worked with the fundraising efforts. “Typically, something like this is $300,000 (to assemble), so we’re kind of doing this on our own. We’ve been to a build day before, but we can do it in-house.”
Portions of the playground will be assembled by township staff prior to the build day; however, there will still be enough work for volunteers to accomplish, Mr. Ferrara said.
The Township Committee last month approved the purchase of 27 Americans with Disabilities Act accessible playground components for children ages 2 to 12, at a $48,154 price tag, from George Ely Associates Inc. 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 including a rubberized ground cover and other equipment is estimated at costing around $100,000.
In addition, the township is seeking additional donations for the project to purchase several add-ons for it, Mr. Ferrara said. Residents can visit the township’s website, www.hillsborough-nj.org, to donate. The donations are tax-deductible.
”We’re trying to raise $20,000 for a few add-ons,” Mr. Ferrara said. “We have the basic park now, but you can get additional add-ons.”
The township also is looking for donations from local businesses to provide breakfast for the builders.
”We’re not taking money from anywhere for this,” Mr. Ferrara said. “We’re just looking for the donations.”

