Middlesex County to upgrade David B. Crabiel Park in North Brunswick

Susan Loyer, MyCentralJersey.com
·3 min read

NORTH BRUNSWICK – Middlesex County is looking to upgrade a playground at David B. Crabiel Park so it is inclusive and ADA-compliant.

The county commissioners have authorized a state Green Acres Park Development application for a $750,000 grant with a county match of $250,000 for the Jake's Law Inclusive Playground at Crabiel Park at the intersection of North Main Street and Elkins Lane.

A presentation on the proposed inclusive playground was made at the county commissioner's conference meeting last month.

"It's a great, wonderful thing," said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles E. Tomaro, who chairs the county's Infrastructure Management Committee. "It's leveling the playing field for kids with handicaps. Although other parks in the county offer ADA-compliant equipment, when completed Crabiel Park will offer more state-of-the-art equipment for children with disabilities."

The playground will include play areas for children ages 6–23 months old, 2–4-year-olds and 5–12-year-olds.
The playground will include play areas for children ages 6–23 months old, 2–4-year-olds and 5–12-year-olds.

In addition, Tomaro said 75% of the cost of the project is expected to be paid for by the Green Acres grant.

The estimated cost of the project is $1 million, according to the county's website.

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In 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill, "Jake's Law," which encourages counties to build inclusive playgrounds for children and adults with disabilities.

The term “Jake’s Law” refers to Jake’s Place, a playground in Cherry Hill, created in honor of Jacob Cummings-Nasto, who passed away due to complications of heart surgery at the age 2. He was born with hypoplastic heart syndrome, and the park was a preferred place for physical therapy.

Counties that submit applications to build inclusive playgrounds similar to Jake’s Place will be given priority for Green Acres funding.

The project includes the demolition and removal of play surfaces and structures within the existing 11,000-square-foot playground. The construction of the new play surfaces and structures will be in the same space as the existing playground.

The playground will include play areas for children ages 6–23 months old, 2–4-year-olds and 5–12-year-olds.

Rubber safety surfacing will be used beneath and around all playground equipment. In addition, the new playground will feature swing sets, seating areas and at least 20% of the square footage of the playground area will be shaded.

A 650-square-foot quiet play area will be available across a pathway from the playground.

Phase 1 of the project will include the demolition and removal of the existing playground equipment and woodcushion. Phase 2 will include the site preparation and excavation for the new equipment and safety surface. Phase 3 will include the delivery, installation, and safety testing of the new playground equipment and rubber safety surface.

No vegetation, wildlife, geology, water resources, or historic and archeological resources will be affected by this project.

The David B. Crabiel Park property was acquired with Green Acres funding.

Information on the proposed project is available at bit.ly/3lQgcrb.

Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Middlesex County to upgrade David B. Crabiel Park in North Brunswick