Children who are 5 to 12 years old have new digs in Laurel Acres Park to climb, swing, totter, zip, slide and run.
The Mount Laurel Council announced the opening of an additional playground at Laurel Acres Park last month. The new play area has slides of various shapes and heights, different types of monkey bars, several ladder types and a variety of shaded and exposed environments. It also has a skyrun zipline track and a rock- climbing wall.
The new playground connects with an already existing play facility for kids 5 to 12 years old and is coated with a rubberized safety surfacing.
“Other older parks that have mulch make it really difficult for kids who have issues with walking or are in a wheelchair,” said Mount Laurel Superintendent of Public Works Jerry Mascia.
The new area has an accessible seesaw with high backs and side rails that can seat up to five children. A large gray saucer acts as the center seat, allowing for users with mobility issues to easily transfer out of their devices to enjoy the seesaw.
“We’ve built a nice reputation in Mount Laurel of being park friendly and family oriented,” said Mayor Stephen Steglik, who added that projects like the new playground, which cost more than $543,000, will further the township’s reputation.
“Obviously our residents have the benefit of Laurel Acres Park, but the entire region does, too,” he said.
There’s been an uptick in visitors to the park, according to the township. Steglik said investment in outdoor spaces has become even more important following lockdowns during the pandemic.
“You have a newfound appreciation for the outside world when you’re stuck inside for months,” he noted
Besides the new playground, the park also features a dog run, picnic table, pavilions and a play area for 2- to 5-year olds. In the summer, additional picnic tables and benches will be added.
Information on pavilion rentals can be found on the township’s website home page by clicking “online forms” and scrolling to the “Parks and Recreation Form” section.
