New Providence will open its renovated Oakwood Park Playground on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m., capping a grant-funded overhaul that added wheelchair-accessible equipment, sensory play elements and quiet spaces to the borough's busiest park.
Mayor Al Morgan, Borough Administrator Bernadette Cuccaro and the Borough Council will cut the ribbon alongside representatives from the state's Jake's Law Playground Grant and Union County's Kids Recreation Trust Fund Grant, according to a borough announcement.
The project drew $874,000 in competitive grants from three programs: the Jake's Law grant, the New Jersey Local Recreation Improvement Grant and the Union County Kids Recreation Trust Fund, Patch reported when construction began. Union County's share was $20,000, awarded in October 2025 as part of more than $1.14 million distributed countywide through the Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.
The new playground includes slides, imaginative play structures, spinning features, accessible rubber safety surfacing and shade canopies. New pathways connect accessible parking to renovated restrooms, picnic tables and fencing.
The ribbon-cutting is open to the public.
At the July 12 groundbreaking, Morgan called the playground "a playground that promotes inclusion, encourages active play, and allows children and families of all abilities to enjoy Oakwood Park together." Construction began that month.
Jake's Law, signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2018, incentivizes municipalities to build inclusive playgrounds that exceed Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The law is named for Jake's Place in Cherry Hill, built in honor of Jacob Cummings-Nasto, who died at age two and a half from complications of heart surgery.
Oakwood Park sits in the northern part of New Providence near the Passaic River. The western parking lot address is 1 Park Place.
Upcoming
- Sept. 1, 2 p.m. — Oakwood Park Playground grand opening and ribbon-cutting, 1 Park Place, New Providence. Open to the public.
