Upgrades include jungle gyms with slides, climbing bars, bridges and ladders.
Mt. Laurel Township officials gathered at Laurel Acres Park last night to dedicate new family-friendly facilities as part of the township’s ongoing, comprehensive open space and recreation program.
Improvements at the park include upgrades of the playground areas, including jungle gyms, slides, climbing bars, bridges and ladders.
The playground is also compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, meaning it is accessible to all children regardless of ability.
The playground upgrades also include safety improvements, with the flooring of the playground area now made from a soft, rubber material, instead of wood mulching.
Also included in the improvements was a second pavilion, as township officials say the township received numerous requests from residents for use of the previous single pavilion.
“Mt. Laurel is a family friend community, and our residents deserve the best we can offer when it comes to public accommodations,” Deputy Mayor Dennis Riley said. “What makes this an especially proud moment is the fact that the playground is handicapped accessible. Now all residents can enjoy these wonderful new facilities.”
According to township officials, the upgrades were made possible from voters approving a measure last November enabling the township to use open space funds to maintain open space it already owns.
Previously, open space funds could only be used to acquire new open space, forcing the township to pay for any maintenance or improvements on existing open space with other money from the township’s annual budget or grants.
“The ability to have flexibility with our open space funds made this possible,” Mayor Rich Van Noord said. “We have been able to upgrade our facilities at a park considered to be the gem of the township. These improvements, along with other activities the township is engaged through open space will not cost taxpayers one additional penny.”
According to township officials, additional improvements for the park still to come include fencing for the two playground areas, additional and newer tables, as well as a walking path directly from Church Street to the playground area.
“The fact that parents and children have a new, safe area for play is especially gratifying” Van Noord said. “And it really embodies what Mt. Laurel is all about.”
