Survey Will Help Design Inclusive Playground In Freehold

FREEHOLD, NJ — The borough is seeking residents' opinions about what should be included in an inclusive playground at Lenoir Park.

A seven-question survey offers options people might like to see and it provides a framework for how residents might use the park.

Lenoir Park is on Lenoir Avenue by Kingsley Square.

The proposed playground would allow children of all abilities to play with their peers regardless of physical or social or cognitive needs.

Some of the features residents are asked about would include a wheelchair-accessible area or a quiet play area.

You can provide your opinions and feedback to help guide future planning efforts by completing the survey at the this link.

An Environmental Impact Assessment was completed in January and explained the scope of the project, according to online borough documents:

The study noted in its introduction that "the park currently has play equipment, trash receptacles and benches that are in disrepair and antiquated. We will be renovating the entire park with sidewalk access, picnic tables, benches, trash receptacles, bike racks, swings and play equipment that will be Inclusive and Accessible & ADA compliant.

"The existing sidewalk that is along the park frontage will be removed and replaced. The site will be made ADA compliant. The park will also have additional landscaping added. We will be adding 12 shade trees throughout the park," the report said.

The construction for this park will not be phased. You can see the full report here.

Many nearby municipalities are in the process of providing inclusive playgrounds or have already completed them, as in Manalapan.

The trend for providing this type of experience is growing, according to the National Recreation and Park Association.

The concept of “universal” or “inclusive” design means that the design of products and environments should make them usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design, the association says.

Principles of inclusive design include that they have equitable use, have flexibility and are intuitive to use, among other characteristics.