Woodbine Gets State Grant for Eco-Park

WOODBINE – Mayor William Pikolycky announced that the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs awarded the Borough of Woodbine. 
Small Cities CDBG grant for $400,000 to develop all-inclusive ADA-compliant playground facilities at the Woodbine Cape May County Open Space EcoPark.
According to a release, the borough has been working closely with the Cape May County Open Space Board to develop a concept and style for the proposed playground facilities – one that complements the natural setting and amenities of the EcoPark.
The EcoPark is the ideal location for the development of the kind of playground envisioned by “Jake’s Law”; it will be an enhancement to the plans to maintain the natural setting of the Eco-Park while ensuring the facility is accessible to all visitors.
“Jake’s Law” is legislation signed by Gov. Phil Murphy that provides incentives to units of government to create inclusive playgrounds for disabled individuals of all ages.
“Jake’s Law” takes ADA design to the next level. It encourages the development of playgrounds that can be utilized by those with virtually any manner of disability: physical, vision, hearing, sensory, cognitive, and ambulatory.
In addition, the borough has just applied to the Cape May County Open Space Program for funding to integrate Creative Placemaking design elements into the EcoPark as part of the new County Open Space branding initiative, which will further complement the all-inclusive playground and include shade structures, decorative fencing, site furniture, trail and entry signs, wayfinding signage and Open Space Identifiers.
“Adding this all-inclusive playground to the overall concept of the EcoPark will bring it to a higher level, creating an attraction that encompasses recreational, educational, and environmental components for both residents of and visitors to the community, and this funding will permit us to finalize our overall concept,” concluded Pikolycky. “We thank the Department of Community Affairs for this award and for their continued commitment to the Borough of Woodbine.”