LACEY TOWNSHIP – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners approved the construction contract for a new all-inclusive playground at Eno's Pond County Park, here, noting the work will begin soon.

"I am happy to announce that today (Nov. 6) we awarded a contract for the new all-inclusive playground at Eno's Pond County Park, East Lacey Road, in Lacey Township," said Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, chairwoman of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. "We anticipate construction to begin shortly and a completion date in early 2025."

The Board of Commissioners awarded the contract to Kompan Inc. in the amount of $1,197,357.

"The new playground at Eno's Pond County Park is being funded, in part, by a state grant in the amount of $771,750 known as the Jakes Law Grant," Haines said. "These funds from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program fund the construction and installation of fully inclusive playgrounds.

"The County appreciates being awarded this substantial grant for this project," she said. "This playground was the first of a series we talked about in our efforts to bring all-inclusive playgrounds to a number of the County parks.

"Jakes Law passed on Aug. 23, 2018, is a bill that encourages New Jersey's counties to build inclusive playgrounds that are designed with standards that generally exceed those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and results in accommodating people with disabilities to their greatest potential," Haines said.

An all-inclusive playground welcomes kids and families of all abilities to learn, play and grow together. A well-designed, inclusive playground enables children of all abilities to develop physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally.

"We have already completed these types of playgrounds at Beaver Dam County Park, Point Pleasant, Freedom Fields in Little Egg Harbor Township, and several others have either been completed or are being worked on using American Rescue Plan Act money appropriated by this Board of Commissioners," Haines said.

The Eno's Pond County Park playground will feature structures that children of all ages and abilities can enjoy, as well as shade sails and fencing.

"Once completed this new area will be a destination playground for all to enjoy," said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Barbara Jo Crea. "This Board is pleased to provide recreational opportunities for all of our residents and visitors of all abilities."

Haines noted that in addition to the playground at Enos, the County expects to have all the upgrades at County park playgrounds completed by the summer of 2025.