JACKSON – Woodlane Park will see the installation of new playground equipment, which was detailed at a recent Township Council meeting.
The existing playground at Woodlane Park is small and needs to be updated. The Council discussed the upgrade project which is the first of several being planned at township parks in the near future.
Greg Powell from Ben Schaefer Recreation presented a detailed proposal to officials and the public. He explained that the project involved replacing the existing small structure with a more extensive and inclusive playground setup, which includes advanced features tailored to different age groups.
He detailed the components of the proposed playground, which are designed to cater to two main age groups: ages two to five and ages five to 12.
The younger children’s area will include a shaded play structure that will protect youngsters from sun exposure. For older children, a new line from Burke, called the Aspire line, will be introduced, featuring towers linked by rope climbers, a design not yet seen in New Jersey.
“The design we have here is something that is recommended to come down in the winter time around October or November and put back up in the spring. You just don’t want any snow loads put on that,” Powell said.
Powell said, “This is an ages 5 to 12 structure here but it goes up to a height of 16-foot decks. (It is) one of our newest lines this year with these little towers linked to these rope climbers. It is something new to us and completely unique and we haven’t seen a lot of this throughout the state of New Jersey.”
He noted that it would include three bays of swings featuring various seat options, such as belt seats, the traditional type swings, toddler, and ADA-accessible seats. There is also a “connection seat where a mother/father could sit there with their child in the lap and there is a little plastic part that comes down.”
Powell also talked about free-standing pieces like a board rocker and a sensory area with musical instruments to enhance the play experience. “It is kind of a snowboarding type deal where you rock back and forth. It is pretty cool as it includes a lot of people at the same time.”
Council members emphasized the inclusion of safety features. Powell explained the playground surfacing was designed to reduce injury risks from falls. “Surfacing is needed for the playground because if a child does fall the absorption impacts of the surface will help prevent head injuries.”
A seating area will include three six-foot traditional tables, and another with an ADA extension. Council Vice President Scott Sargent asked if the seating would be “concreted in or are they portable?”
“These are portable,” Powell replied. “If you are worried about them walking away, we will be anchoring them.”
“The residents in this neighborhood have been waiting for this much needed upgrade and we’re delivering it,” Council President Jennifer Kuhn said.
Officials discussed some of the practical aspects of the playground’s maintenance and durability, noting a warranty of 100 years on metal parts and a 15-year warranty on plastic components treated with UV protection to prevent sunlight degradation. They also talked about the need for ADA-compliant access.
Mayor Michael Reina issued a statement about the project noting that “since taking office, it has always been my priority to make sure Jackson’s parks and recreational facilities are second to none.”
The mayor stressed that this long-term durability is crucial for the sustainability of the playground. He pointed out that existing structures become faded and technology used in modern plastics will hold their color longer in the sun.
Councilman Mordechai Burnstein said, “we are firmly committed to improving our town’s community parks so children and families will have top quality recreational facilities right in their own neighborhoods.”
Councilman Nino Borrelli commented, “I’m glad to read about Ocean County’s plans to improve county parks including in Jackson at Patriot Park and enable them to be useable for all children including kids with disabilities. I’m glad to be a part of supporting future improvements of our town at Woodlane Park. I encourage our residents to enjoy our many parks and recreational areas.”
Business Administrator Terence Wall confirmed with the vendor that the project can be finished within six to nine weeks once construction starts with a schedule to begin this autumn.
Earlier this year, the township announced that it will assist the Jackson Township School District in upgrading playgrounds at multiple elementary schools.
