Freehold Borough Secures $508K Matching Grant To Build Inclusive Playground

FREEHOLD BOROUGH, NJ — Freehold Borough has officially secured Green Acres grant funding to replace the existing playground at Lenoir Park with a completely inclusive playground, borough officials announced Thursday.

The matching grant received by the borough totals $508,600, according to officials. The Green Acres Program is administered by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP).

According to borough officials, this grant is part of an effort specifically targeted at helping municipalities create spaces that can be enjoyed by all young residents, regardless of challenges.

In addition to the Green Acres award, officials said County Open Space Grant funding will be used to cover the required match.

“Freehold Borough is a welcoming community, and these changes will give all of our kids the opportunity to come together and enjoy one of childhood’s basic joys – visits to the local playground,” Mayor Kevin Kane said.

These kinds of spaces are supported by the passage of “Jake’s Law,” which was enacted in 2018 and encourages the development of inclusive playgrounds designed to exceed the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Green Acres Program provides funding and incentives, including matching grants, to help municipalities and counties create these playgrounds, which are specifically designed to be inclusive of all children at all levels of ability.

“This is an amazing journey for the Borough of Freehold to be able to make this park fully accessible for all Borough residents,” Councilmember Annette Jordan said. “Green Acres is all about grant funding, and it is wonderful to be able to do this project without taxpayers having to pay for all these improvements.”

These improvements will transform the park and better engage the entire community, borough officials said.

The project will include upgrades to equipment such as swings, a merry-go-round, and various play structures. Planned work will also encompass landscaping and curbing improvements.

The new playground will be located at Lenoir Park, located at Lenoir Avenue and Ward Street.