FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – A playground in Freehold Township that allows children of all abilities to enjoy its amenities has been presented with an award from a state organization.
The New Jersey Recreation and Park Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting parks and recreation, presented the Excellence in Design Award to Freehold Township Recreation for “My Playground,” a facility at Michael J. Tighe Park, Georgia Road. The award was presented on March 7 at the NJRPA’s annual awards dinner.
NJRPA Executive Director Pam Griffin said the award is presented to completed recreation and park facilities intended for public use. She said selections are made based on evidence of elements of aesthetic quality, uniqueness of design, usability and versatility, and compliance with the state’s Barrier Free Recreation Subcode and applicable U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Guidelines.
“My Playground,” which is described as a “universally integrated playground,” was completed in 2015. Susan McGough, Freehold Township’s superintendent of parks and recreation, said the playground is intended to be used by all children and families.
“The primary purpose of building ‘My Playground’ was to create diversified recreation opportunities for children of all ages and abilities, as well as families and communities,” McGough said. “This playground incorporates intergenerational play for parents and children while being wholly accessible and developmentally appropriate.
“By balancing a variety of engaging activities that focus on equality of play and appeal to the needs of all children, this project supports the Parks and Recreation Commission’s mission to provide park users with a safe, healthy and energetic environment that encourages participation in recreation activities.
“The decision to move forward with this project was based upon a need within the community to provide recreational opportunities for children who cannot interact with others on a ‘typical’ playground,” McGough continued. “The playground was built as a complement to Freehold Township Recreation’s Challenger program.
“Now in its 25th year, Challenger Sports is a year round program that was created for athletes classified as being ‘Eligible for Special Education’ to enjoy the full benefits of sports participation in an environment structured to their abilities. The value of the universally integrated playground is evident as participants develop motor skills, improve social skills, strengthen self-esteem, and are exposed to sportsmanship and fair play,” she said.
In her nomination form to NJRPA, McGough said “My Playground” offers varying degrees of physical and social participation. To address all the needs of children, there are features that appeal to their senses.
McGough recounted the time she was thanked by a woman because “My Playground” allowed the woman’s wheelchair-bound mother to play with her granddaughter at a playground for the first time.
” ‘My Playground’ has achieved the goal of being a universally integrated playground that provides a meaningful, equitable play experience to Freehold Township and Monmouth County residents where children experience dynamic opportunities for physical, social, imaginative and cooperative play.
“It has also reached the status of becoming a Monmouth County ‘destination playground’ where parents drive their children to Tighe Park knowing the playground is not only accessible with a balanced variety of engaging play activities, but that (parents) can have a clear view of multiple play areas, meeting the needs of all of their children,” McGough said.
