TWO STONE HARBOR PLAYGROUNDS TO RE-OPEN WITH NEW EQUIPMENT, ALL-INCLUSIVE DESIGN AND ACCESSIBILITY
County and State Grants Support Construction
STONE HARBOR, N.J.—(May 5, 2025)—Construction projects at two Stone Harbor playgrounds that were unavailable last year will soon restore both for public use, with one set for reopening before the summer season. Reconstruction of the other playground will likely begin after the summer season with completion expected before year-end.
Both projects are largely funded by a $1.2 million grant from Cape May County and a $750,000 grant announced last month by the State Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres program, respectively.
At the borough’s 96th Street playground, new slides, benches and other equipment have been installed, a basketball court has been expanded to regulation size and bocce courts improved. While a temporary surface allows safe access, a new, permanent surface will be installed in the coming week. A new recreation building with restrooms is also planned for the site with construction to begin later this year.
The borough’s new “Jake’s Place” playground is planned for the 82nd Street recreation complex. All-inclusive Jake’s Place playgrounds are designed to accommodate people of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents, and all abilities, including people with physical handicaps or disabilities.
The Jake’s Place playground concept is named for a Camden County toddler who suffered from a rare cardiac medical condition which limited his accessibility to many typical playground components. Jake’s Place playgrounds have since been built in Cherry Hill and Delran.
Both the 96th Street and 82nds Street playgrounds were closed last year due to deteriorated equipment and related safety concerns.
Stone Harbor Mayor Tim Carney predicted heavy use of both refurbished playgrounds. “Residents and visitors alike value Stone Harbor’s recreation opportunities including those beyond our pristine beaches. These playground improvements will help to meet the recreation needs of families and people of all ages and physical abilities.” He acknowledged County and State financial support, and thanked the borough council for their commitment to the borough’s recreation facilities.
Borough Council Member Victor Foschini, chair of the council’s Recreation and Tourism committee, welcomed both playgrounds’ prospective re-opening. “Restoring these recreation facilities has been a top priority for our committee and it benefits the entire borough and all of our visitors,” he explained.
“Our 96th Street playground will be ready in time for the summer season, with the 82nd Street park soon to follow with its pioneering, all-inclusive design. Both facilities will make our recreation program more complete and more inviting.”
Borough engineering firm DiBlasio & Associates is coordinating design and construction work for both locations.
