Renovated LaGrande Playground Celebrates Grand Opening: See What's New

FANWOOD, NJ - The 27-year-old LaGrande Playground has reopened to the public this month, touting new additions such as swings, slides, climbing structures, and other play equipment for kids of varying ages and those with special needs.

During a Feb. 26 ceremony, Mayor Colleen Mahr was joined by members of the Fanwood Recreation Commission and Borough Council to cut the ribbon for the new and improved ADA-compliant playground, which was completed in mid-February.

Among those in attendance included Fanwood Council President Jeff Banks, council members Gina Berry and Trisha Walsh, Union County Commissioner Al Mirabella, Recreation Director Bob Budiansky, Recreation Commissioners Venessa White, Michael Lowenthal, Rosa Mannarino, Arlene Ross, Mike Kelly and Neil Pierce and police officers Mike Rusin and Sean Murphy.

Other additions made part of the $215,000 project include an expansion of the playground area, new benches and new mulch substrate. New trees will be planted in the spring, the borough said.

The new playground was constructed by MRC Recreation of Spring Lake and was financed by a Union County grant, the Fanwood Recreation Trust Fund and the Borough of Fanwood, the borough added.

“It’s beautiful,” Mayor Mahr said in a statement, addressing the Recreation Committee. “Every one of you should be proud. “It’s really nice to see the next generation of LaGrande Park.”