With the creativity and design elements of Ben Shaffer Recreation, Full Throttle Playground will engage children on multiple levels, encouraging physical, cognitive and social development, while providing opportunities for growth and exploration in a safe and inclusive environment.
Construction on Full Throttle Inclusive Playground at Wesley Bishop Park is set to begin soon, and residents have a chance to leave their forever mark at the space with a custom engraved paver.
For Moorestown residents Kristin and Casey Hannon, it’s a unique way for people to be a part of something big, and they’ll both be looking forward to watching families find their pavers when the playground named for their son Jack is complete.
“Jack loved to play with kids of all different ages and different abilities,” Kristin recalled. “Everything he did was full throttle, so just like when we see kids playing at Full Throttle Field, it feels like a wink or a hug from Jack seeing how much joy it brings to them.
“It’ll be nice to see the same thing at the playground.”
Jack, who died in 2021, is described as someone who gave 100% of himself, 100% of the time. To honor his memory, the Jack Hannon Full Throttle Fund was founded to embody his spirit through charitable endeavors focused on enriching the lives of young people.
Its mission is to foster youth development by creating spaces for fun, joy and inclusive play. A state-of-the-art Whiffle ball field modeled after Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park and the playground are just the beginning of what the fund will bring to the community moving forward.
“It’s going to promote growth for kids,’ Kristin explained. “It’s going to build connections, it’s going to be inclusive, it’s going to be fun, and it’ll be neat to see kids overcoming obstacles where maybe at first they couldn’t do something and they keep trying, and then they realize they can do it again over and over on the playground.
“And all in a safe place.”
Full Throttle Playground will provide innovative and inclusive play areas that cater to the diverse needs and interests of Moorestown’s children. It will also incorporate Jack’s love of STEM by engaging kids on multiple levels and encouraging physical, cognitive and social development.
A lot goes into a project of the playground’s size, including design, engineering, permits and approvals, but to see it come to fruition feels surreal for Kristin and Casey.
“Our hope,” Casey noted, “is that Jack’s memory, spirit and love of play will live on through all children who play at Full Throttle Playground.”
Pavers for Full Throttle Inclusive Playground must be secured before Friday, May 1. Visit fullthrottlefield.com/playground for more information.
