New $440K Inclusive Playground Possible In Wayne, Township Seeks Grant

WAYNE, NJ — Township officials will apply for a state grant to develop a new inclusive playground for families of children with special needs in Wayne, and are also seeking public input on the project.

The play area would be at 533 Berdan Avenue on The Wayne Museum property and cost an estimated $440,000, according to township documents. This fenced-in playground would include accessible pathways, sensory play panels, inclusive swings, and play items to spark imagination.

And, the proximity to the Van Riper-Hopper House and Mead-Van Duyne House will allow children and families to connect with local history, officials said.

Wayne Township has an existing playground for children of all abilities, which opened several years ago at Rabbi Shai Shacknai Memorial Park on Greenrale Avenue. Mayor Christopher Vergano said it was probably the most-used playground in the township during last week's meeting.

Parks and Recreation director Tim Roetman said having the new playground at this site would both enhance recreation opportunities for families, and bring awareness to the Wayne Museum and the educational opportunities there as well.

Roetman said the play area is designed to "exceed" standards set by federal law, and added that everything "from the parking spaces to the playground, to the surfacing of the playground will all be compliant for anybody with any physical disability."

There will also be shade trees planted on the site, he added, and benches for people to sit and relax.

Township council members approved a grant application to the New Jersey Green Acres program, which will pay up to 75 percent (or $330,000) of the estimated cost.

Click here to participate in the survey about the new playground, and click here to read a bit more about the project.