Physically challenged kids get a playground to call their own, on former Greystone grounds

Youths with disabilities now have a park to call their own, thanks to the Jets. Photo by Berit Ollestad.
Youths with disabilities now have a park to call their own, thanks to the Jets. Photo by Berit Ollestad.
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By Berit Ollestad

For Morris County children with disabilities, “play dates” often meant an hour-long drive to a specially designed playground in Colts Neck.

Not anymore.

Thanks to generous donations and the cooperation of many different organizations, special-needs kids can enjoy a great time on a new “all-access” playground on the former grounds of Greystone Park State Psychiatric Hospital, now known as Central Park.

Youths with disabilities now have a park to call their own, thanks to the Jets. Photo by Berit Ollestad.
Youths with disabilities now have a park to call their own, thanks to the Jets. Photo by Berit Ollestad.

Wheelchair-friendly swings and other equipment allow kids with disabilities to be on the inside looking out, for a change.

“Oftentimes a trip to the playground is one of life’s simplest pleasures, and every child should be entitled to a playground in their own community,” said Parent Coordinator Tiffany Srnensky.

The park was made possible by the Jets football team, the Morris County Parks Commission, The United Way and Ben Shafer & Associates, the architects behind the playground, which is on the border of Morris Plains and Parsippany.

Denise Lanza of the Parks Commission cut the ceremonial ribbon earlier this month.

When construction commenced in November 2013, it was hard to visualize how thousands of screws and hundreds of odd-shaped plastic pieces would coalesce into something so meaningful.

“The fact that everyone said yes and didn’t hesitate was amazing,” Srnensky said.

“It literally has breathed life into that area. It is such a gift to be able to bring all my kids to the playground and ball fields at the same time. It’s so nice that I don’t have to explain to my daughter that something isn’t accessible to her, and she no longer has to watch from the sidelines as all the other children play.”

Photos by Berit Ollestad

1 COMMENT

  1. This is a wonderful community effort for people who want to help others. Kudos! However, Parent Coordinator Tiffany Srnensky is wrong when she says “Every child should be entitled…” No one is entitled to anything they have not earned. That is why community effort and charity are such blessings.

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