SUMMIT, NJ — An outdated playground at Summit is slated to get a facelift in the near future, as the Department of Community Programs recently applied for grants to make a number of renovations.
Mabie Playground, which is located on the Village Green near downtown, has not been renovated in over 25 years. The City Council approved a $100,000 grant application at last week’s meeting, through the Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) Program, in order to pay for the renovation.
With the assistance of grant funding, Summit’s Department of Community Programs plans to renovate the playground, which also includes two basketball courts, for all residents to use and enjoy.
The overall goal of the project is to replace the playground to make it fully accessible and ADA compliant. The project also includes sensory-friendly play structures for all children to enjoy, including those with special needs.
Because the company that built the playground is no longer in business, the City is seeking grant money from the NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which supports the improvement and repair of public recreation facilities including local parks, municipal recreation centers and local stadiums .
Councilwoman Delia Hamlet said in a recent Facebook Live that it is “to be determined” whether the city will receive the grant, but she expects to see the renderings for the new playground this week.
“We’re hoping to shovel in the ground this year,” Hamlet says. “… It’s certainly something that needs to be completely renovated and ADA accessible, and we’re very excited to get that started.”
You can watch last week’s council meeting on YouTube: