Inclusive Playground Unveiled In Nutley: ‘Empathy, Community, Compassion’

NUTLEY, NJ — It’s a place where children of all abilities and needs a place can have fun and enjoy being a kid.

The Nutley Township Department of Parks and Recreation held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new inclusive playground at Father Glotzbach Park on Wednesday. The new playground is designed to remove barriers and obstacles so that children of all abilities and needs can play together.

The space will not only promote physical education for all, but also “empathy, community, compassion and understanding” for all Nutley children, town officials said.

The new playground includes wheelchair-accessible surfacing and ramps, sensory-friendly and quiet play areas, an inclusive swing set and play equipment, shaded seating and fencing, and accessible restrooms and parking.

According to the township, the playground was funded through Jake’s Law, a New Jersey law that helps fund fully inclusive playgrounds for children of all abilities. It was inspired by Jake Cummings-Nasto, a young boy from South Jersey whose family advocated for accessible play spaces.

The funding comes primarily through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Green Acres program. Municipalities, counties, and townships can apply for grants to build or renovate inclusive playgrounds that exceed standard ADA requirements.

“We’re doing whatever we can to take care of our people here in Nutley,” Commissioner Mauro Tucci said.

“This is a park for everyone,” Tucci said.

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