'Jake's Law' Playground Pitched For Gloucester Twp. Park

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — An inclusive "Jake's Law" playground could be coming to Gloucester Township.

Inclusive playgrounds are designed to eliminate barriers for children and adults with disabilities. The township government is looking into building one at Valleybrook Sports Complex.

Efforts to bring more inclusive playgrounds to New Jersey were inspired by Jacob Cummings-Nasto. "Baby Jake," who died at age 2, was born with hypoplastic heart syndrome and went to the park for physical therapy.

Baby Jake is the namesake for Jake's Place, a disability-friendly playground in Cherry Hill. Build Jake's Place, which founded the playground, is on a mission to build others just like it for different communities.

In 2018, New Jersey passed "Jake's Law," which prioritizes state funding for inclusive playgrounds similar to Jake's Place.

Township officials are proposing to apply for Green Acres funding to build an all-inclusive park and they're asking residents for input.

Residents can answer a quick online survey until midnight on Friday.

The township will also hold a public hearing about the proposed playground at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Municipal Building's council chambers (1261 Chews Landing Rd., Laurel Springs).

Valleybrook Sports Complex is located at 247 Little Gloucester Rd., Blackwood — at Little Gloucester Road and Golfview Drive.

Find out more about the proposed playground.