South River seeks Jake’s Law grant for inclusive playground and fitness court at Volunteers Park

South River officials presented a grant application on Feb. 3 seeking state funds under “Jake’s Law” to build an inclusive playground and an adult fitness court at Volunteers Park (also called Bell Park).

The proposal would place the playground in an already-developed portion of Volunteers Park, near Johnson Place and Bridal Street, officials said. The project includes an inclusive surfacing system, an adjacent fitness area and new walking paths; presenters said the surfacing is porous and will be installed over a stone drainage layer.

The presentation explained why the borough applied for the grant and how the design follows Jake’s Law guidelines. “Jake's Law incentivizes counties, municipalities to build inclusive playgrounds for children and adults with disabilities,” a borough staff member said during the presentation. The speaker said the plan is intended for “anyone with any disability” so people who need adaptive access can use the equipment alongside other park users.

The borough said an environmental review found no regulated areas on the site and no expected impacts to threatened or endangered species. The project would require removal of eight trees near the playground and walking path; presenters said four of those trees are dead, two would be removed to clear walkways and two have exposed roots that present tripping hazards. “The removal of these trees will help ensure the safety of residents using the park and playground,” the presenter said.

During public comment, Emily Grasso (13 Darrow Street), speaking in part as a member of the environmental commission, asked whether the proposed playground surface is impervious. A staff member replied that the surfacing is porous and explained the contractor installs a bluestone layer beneath the rubber surface to promote drainage: “They use it's a rubber surface, but it's very porous. And they put a layer of, Bluestone underneath to let water drain.”

Grasso and other speakers also urged replacement plantings after construction. Grasso noted the ecosystem services of mature trees and asked that the borough replace removed trees where possible; presenters said the plan includes landscaping restoration and replanting where feasible after construction.

The presenter said no New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection permits were expected to be required and that a Natural Heritage Database search had been requested on Dec. 31, 2024 and returned last week. Officials described short-term construction impacts such as temporary access restrictions, increased noise and truck traffic during work, but said no long-term environmental impacts were anticipated.

The presentation also cited the borough’s efforts to match local funds with outside grants (including mention of Green Acres program funding) to stretch municipal dollars.

If approved and funded, borough staff said they will work with recreation staff on final design and a construction schedule. The presentation identified staff contacts in the recreation department who will support the grant application and project delivery.

The borough did not set a construction start date or final budget in the meeting record; presenters said final costs and scope will be determined if the grant is awarded.