NEWS RELEASE
Salem County Board of Chosen Freeholders
94 Market Street. Salem, N.J. 08079
CONTACT: Rita Shade Simpson
Clerk of the Board/Administrator
August 23, 2002
DOLLARS STRETCHED TO FURTHER BENEFIT PLAYGROUNDS
SALEM – Salem City and Pittsgrove Township playgrounds that accommodate handicapped children are receiving additional safety and comfort improvements due to careful grant funding oversight, Freeholder Sue Bestwick announced today.
"We will supplement Salem City's Hubble Avenue playground project with two heavy duty six foot benches and area perimeter chain link fencing. Pittsgrove Township's playground will boast a 24 by 36 foot picnic pavilion," said Bestwick, who directed the additions.
"Safety, comfort and usage by both children and parents guided these final accessories. While the original goal was for all children to play together, now parents and guardians relax as well," said Bestwick.
The playgrounds above and those located at Elmer and Quinton elementary schools, and on municipal park property in Carneys Point, Pennsville and Upper Pittsgrove were funded through a $550,000 special legislative grant for Handicapped
Accessible Playground Development in Salem County that was secured by former Speaker of the House Jack Collins.
A Playground Planning Group, comprised of interested citizens and municipal representatives, served as an advisory board and was chaired by Freeholder Bestwick.
The playgrounds will be operated and maintained by each municipality through their annual operating budget.
The project was totally funded through a state grant and required no municipal or county funds. Costs were offset through volunteer labor. The County acted as the contract manager.
J. Boys Landscaping was awarded the $5495 contract for seating and fencing, and Greenlane of South Jersey, Inc will be installing the $28,880 picnic pavilion.