Evesham Township recently announced that a new and completely inclusive playground will open soon at Evesboro Downs Park.
The township got $731,000 in New Jersey Green Acres grants from the state last year to build the playground, a 12,000-square-foot area designed for children of all abilities. The funding was part of more than $33.1 million in matching grants that went in 2024 to 49 local governments in 16 counties across the state for the development of inclusive playgrounds.
“This grant underscores the municipality’s commitment to serving individuals who experience disabilities and enhancing recreational opportunities for residents of all needs,” Mayor Jackie Veasy said in a statement following the announcement of the funding.
Former Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation in 2018 to create Jake’s Law, which offers incentives to build all-inclusive playgrounds for children and adults. It is named for Jacob Cummings-Nasto, who died at 2 years old from complications of heart surgery in 2007.
It’s estimated that about 100 all-inclusive playgrounds are built or in the works across New Jersey as a result of the measure. The township announced in 2024 that it was awarded a $731,000 state grant to build the Evesham facility.
The playground features a fully wheelchair-accessible, two-story play structure; a covered picnic area; a specialized toddler area; an on-site bathroom; and sensory-rich elements such as tactile walls and a percussion play zone. Every detail promotes accessibility, from the Zero-G chair swing and inclusive seesaw, to a smooth, rubberized surfacing and expanded ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) features.
Inspired by the original Jake’s Place in Cherry Hill, the new playground removes barriers to ensure no child is separate from peers. The township held a groundbreaking ceremony for the playground in April.
“(The township) is so excited to have enacted the development of an inclusion park here in Evesham,” noted Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper in a video about the play area on the township Facebook page. “Park space is something that is unique here in Evesham,” she added.
“We are a town of neighborhoods that consist of park all throughout the community, so having a Jake’s Place park at Evesboro Downs makes all the difference here in a community where folks can gather and come together.”
“As the liaison to the Veterans and Disability Committee, we’re really excited to see a playground of this magnitude in Evesham Township,” Councilman Joe Fisicaro said in the video, “(to have) a place where all children can come to play and connect with one another.
“We’re excited for our families, who have spoken for many years about wanting a project like this. Now we’re finally able to deliver.”
The township will host a grand opening ceremony for the playground in the near future. Follow its Facebook page for updates.
