September 18, 2024

Inclusive Playground Built in Westfield

By Maddy Grieco

An inclusive playground will be added to Franklin Elementary School in Westfield this school year.

The playground, sponsored and supported by Project Playground, will include new implements and gadgets that make the experience more accessible and enjoyable for all. With the renovations, the playground will gain eight new pieces, including an Inclusive See Saw, an Inclusive Whirl Spinner, a Tree Top Net Spinner, a Tandom Expression Swing, an Adaptive Swing, an Adaptive Swing, an Arch Saucer Swing and a Communication Board.

Along with these improvements, the Franklin Elementary School Playground will have special surfacing, a mural designed by a student, pathways, benches and tables.

Westfield parents launched Project Playground in 2022 to enhance accessibility within the town. This program has allowed the town to gain more than $400,000 devoted specifically for the construction of accessible playgrounds at Lincoln, Franklin, and Jefferson schools.

Project Playground will continue to raise funds for this specific initiative in the hopes of sponsoring the creation of a mural designed by students from Franklin Elementary School and Westfield High School.

Information regarding Project Playground can be found at franklinpto.membershiptoolkit.com/projectplayground or by emailing ericawitte24@gmail.com.

About the Author

Maddy Grieco is a Intern for ONNJ, where she aids in the behind-the-scenes creation of the NJ Morning Show. She researches and writes the news stories that help bring the show together. In addition to writing, she also works to bolster the social media content for ONNJ, creating ideas to increase engagement on Instagram and TikTok.

She is a rising junior at Bucknell University, where she plans to graduate with a BA in English – Literary Studies. Following graduation, she seeks to enter the literary publishing world and further develop her analytical and editing skills.

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