MILLBURN, NJ — Township officials broke ground Wednesday on the ADA accessible inclusive playground project at Taylor Park, which is getting a $1 million overhaul aimed at making play more accessible to children of different ages and abilities.
The renovation will create two distinct play areas: one designed for children ages 2 to 5 and another for ages 5 to 12. An accessible pathway will connect the spaces, and the overall play area will be expanded so children can reach the new equipment more easily.
The play area will be expanded to ensure accessibility to all the new equipment, which include:
The Taylor Park playground is currently closed and will remain unavailable while work is underway. Families looking for another place to play can use the playground at Gero Park in the meantime.
"The park is designed with the needs of everyone in mind to offer a place of safe fun for all residents," Recreation Director Chris Myers said in the township's announcement.
Before construction could begin, soil testing was required by Green Acres and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Testing found that a limited section of the new playground footprint needed environmental controls.
The township said demarcation fabric will be placed below the stone base and safety surface to meet state environmental standards. Officials said that safeguard allows construction to move forward.
The inclusive playground project received a $750,000 New Jersey Green Acres grant in 2025 and an additional $250,000 in capital funding.
If construction stays on schedule, the new Taylor Park playground is expected to open later this fall.
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