COLTS NECK – The Colts Neck Lions Club has raised $122,000 to construct a playground for individuals who are blind and visually impaired.
The new playground at the Dorbrook Recreation Area, 353 Route 537, Colts Neck, will be named the Lions Sensory Den and will be an extension to the existing Challenger Place playground.
The Lions Sensory Den is expected to be completed at the end of 2019, according to a press release.
As described by the Monmouth County Park System, Challenger Place is a universally accessible playground that provides all children an opportunity to laugh, play, grow and learn together with elevated surfaces that are accessible to individuals in wheelchairs and Braille signs for individuals who are visually impaired. Each of the three play structures has areas where children of varied abilities can play together, according to the press release.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.3 million members around the world. The Colts Neck Lions Club was formed in 1969.
According to the press release, the Lions Sensory Den will include fully accessible climbers, activity panels, xylophones, drums, water features, sounding poles and more. The playground will offer a unique sensory experience for blind, visually impaired and autistic children.
“The club’s goal was to create an environment where children with physical disabilities are able to play and socialize with their peers without feeling excluded,” Lions Club President Justin Lotano said.
“The sensory playground will benefit children by improving social skills, building confidence and increasing developmental abilities. The mission of our club is to serve. It’s that simple. Our club is a place where individuals join together to give their valuable time and effort to improve their communities and the world,” he said.
“The Lions Club would like to thank everyone involved in this effort, including a special thank you to Dunkin Donuts, the Colts Neck Reformed Church, the Colts Neck Business Association, Wells Fargo Advisors, Investors Bank, the Friends of Monmouth County
Parks, the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation and the Gannett Company,” Lotano said.
The Colts Neck Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at Huddy’s Inn. For more information, contact Justin Lotano at [email protected]