New Bergen County Playground Will Continue Legacy Of Toddler Who Died

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ – Thanks to a matching $1 million grant from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and the Garden State Preservation Trust, Bergen County will be constructing a "completely inclusive playground" at a riverfront park that straddles two towns.

The $1 million follows guidance outlined by Jake’s Law, which was signed in August 2018 by Governor Phil Murphy to encourage counties to construct inclusive playgrounds for children and adults with disabilities.

The law was named after a Budd Lake boy with a rare heart condition who died at age 2 in 2007. His family knew the sound of children playing always encouraged Jake Cummings-Nasto, but there was no play equipment nearby to accommodate him or other kids with disabilities.

The playground at Riverside County Park-South, located in the Borough of North Arlington and the Township of Lyndhurst, will be completely inclusive or adaptive. That means it's "for people of all age groups and abilities," the county said.

Features will include safety surfaces, shading, fencing, an area for quiet play, improved lighting, safer walking routes within the park, new pedestrian access points, and closer parking facilities.

"Every child in Bergen County deserves the opportunity to play with their friends in a safe environment that is responsive to their needs," said Bergen County Commissioner and Parks Liaison Steve Tanelli. "This grant ensures our commitment to not only construct more inclusive playgrounds across the county but also our wish to see all children, regardless of their challenges, be kids."

“It is important to make sure that our residents of all abilities are accommodated here in Bergen County,” said Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III. “Our mission to create completely inclusive playgrounds in our county parks serves as a reminder that we are committed to addressing the needs of our community, and that we will always have the people at the forefront of everything we do.”

“The Green Acres Program is committed to creating opportunities for all members of the public to fully participate in recreation in their neighborhoods,” said Martha Sullivan Sapp, Director of the state funding program, Green Acres. “We established the Jake’s Law grant incentive program in 2023 to incentivize the creation of playgrounds that will be inclusive of every physical ability, and we are thrilled to partner with Bergen County on the new inclusive playground at Riverside Park.”

The addition of a Completely Inclusive Playground is part of the third phase of the ongoing Riverside County Park revitalization project.

In accordance with the 2019 Bergen County Parks Master Plan, the County has been increasing the park’s offerings and expanding recreational opportunities.

Phase one and two of the Riverside County Park renaissance included the construction of a rowing center to provide unprecedented access to the Passaic River, a new amphitheater for community performances, a new restroom, paved walking paths, and more.

Riverside County Park is composed of 85 acres along the river. Find out more about it here.