New Providence broke ground Tuesday on an $874,000 overhaul of the Oakwood Park playground — the borough's most heavily used park — and when it's done, every child, regardless of ability, will be able to play there together.

The redesign replaces existing equipment with wheelchair-accessible features, sensory activities, quiet spaces, slides, spinning attractions and imaginative play areas, all connected by rubber surfacing that works for wheelchairs and mobility aids. The project also adds a paved path from parking to restrooms, shade canopies, picnic tables, new fencing and updated bathrooms. Mayor Al Morgan, Borough Administrator Bernadette Cuccaro and Recreation Director Allison Smith led Tuesday's groundbreaking.

The full $874,000 comes from three grants: a state Jake's Law Playground Grant, a New Jersey Local Recreation Improvement Grant, and a $20,000 Union County Kids Recreation Trust Fund Grant. Jake's Law typically covers 75% of an inclusive playground's cost, awarding towns between $500,000 and $750,000.

Jake's Law, signed in 2018, encourages towns to build playgrounds that go beyond minimum ADA requirements. It's named for Jacob Cummings-Nasto of Cherry Hill, who died at two and a half from complications of heart surgery — a namesake that gives every one of the nearly 100 inclusive playgrounds built under the law statewide a little extra weight.

Construction is expected to wrap by mid-August. No ribbon-cutting date has been set yet, but updates will be posted at newprov.us. Questions can go to Recreation Director Allison Smith at (908) 464-4430 or [email protected].