Officials in Freehold Township have dedicated “My Playground!” — an integrated playground that accommodates the needs of children of all abilities. PHOTO COURTESY OF FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Municipal, county and state officials were on hand for the recent dedication of a new playground at Michael J. Tighe Park, Georgia Road.
The universally integrated playground, dedicated on Oct. 17, was built with grant funds from Monmouth County that were matched by Freehold Township.
“We applied for a grant through the Monmouth County Municipal Open Space Grant Program and received $159,000. The township matched that amount,” said Sue McGough, Freehold Township’s recreation superintendent.
An integrated playground accommodates the needs of children of all abilities.
“There are sensory features on the playground and ramps appropriate for wheelchairs,” McGough said.
The goal, she said, is to be a “destination playground” in Monmouth County.
The 100- x 100-square-foot playground area has designated spaces appropriate for children ages 2 to 5 and for children ages 5 to 12, McGough said.
The township applied for the grant in the fall of 2014 and was notified it would receive the funds in December 2014. Construction on the playground began at the end of May 2015, according to McGough.
The integrated playground was designed by McGough and approved by the Recreation Commission and the Township Committee. The playground equipment was purchased from Marturano Recreation Game Time, and Marturano Recreation donated the installation, Mc- Gough said.
The cost of the project, which included all equipment, a rubber surface, benches and landscaping, was $320,000.
“My Playground!” was chosen for the name of this inclusive park facility.
“When construction on the playground was wrapping up at Tighe Park as the township’s summer camp began, young campers kept coming up to me asking when is ‘my playground’ going to open,” McGough said.
This happened countless times, according to McGough, and when she mentioned it at a Recreation Commission meeting, the members of the board agreed that “My Playground!” captured the essence of children believing the playground was built just for them.
— Christine Barcia