“That’s so cool,” said one little boy as he ran past the sandbox. As Jon Stillings cut the ribbon, there were squeals of glee as a wave of bouncing, laughing children ran into the playground. “We are transitioning to a ‘Friends of the Playground Committee’ and are looking for people to join and to do annual maintenance.”Īt approximately 2:40 p.m., after the adults were finished speaking, it was the children’s turn to do what they came to do. “Our goal is a $20,000 maintenance fund,” Phillips said. The committee is also trying to raise funds to help maintain the playground and lessen the burden on the township. While all the bills are paid, she noted that there is still some art work and signage that needs to be completed. Phillips, a mother of three who spearheaded the Freedom Playground Committee in August 2008, said $380,000 was raised for the project. “It was really very rewarding to me to see how many people have gotten behind the project and the obvious need for accessible play.” “It’s incredible how the community came together and how many lives were affected by the process of building the playground,” said Freedom Playground Committee President Ann Phillips. It provides a play place for children with varied disabilities, including physical, mental and sensory issues. The playground design far exceeds the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ground cover is “Poured-In-Place,” a porous, cushioned surface that provides accessibility for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers. The playground uses composite lumber for both safety and longevity. “It’s nice that he can get through with his walker and get to use everything,” Walter Stillings said. “I’m happy to get it done,” said Stillings, who was accompanied by his parents, Walter and Dineen Stillings. Like Jonathan Denny, he had worked long hours helping to build the playground. Jon Stillings, 12, was also celebrating the opening of the new playground, complete with swings, slides, tree house and rocking deck. “It was a great team effort,” the younger Denny noted.
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