Triad Associates proudly joined community leaders, advocates, and residents in July at the Valleybrook Sports Complex in Gloucester Township, NJ to celebrate the groundbreaking of a fully inclusive and accessible Jake’s Law Playground. This milestone marks the beginning of construction on a transformative recreational space designed to allow individuals of all ages and abilities to participate in active play.
Triad worked closely with Gloucester Township to prepare and submit a successful application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres program, securing $750,000 in funding for the project. This support will help bring to life a playground that sets a new standard for accessibility and inclusion in the region.
A Playground for Everyone
The new Jake’s Law Playground will feature multi-functional equipment specifically designed to be accessible and usable by both disabled and non-disabled individuals. In accordance with New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) regulations, the design includes a quiet play area for children who benefit from reduced sensory input. To further enhance comfort and safety, the playground will be shaded with umbrellas and sun canopies covering 29% of the area—including over benches—which far exceeds DCA requirements for Jake’s Law Playgrounds.
Additional inclusive features include a fully fenced-in layout for safety, accessible routes connecting the playground to the parking lot and the complex’s fieldhouse, and a renovated family/assisted-use restroom located in the existing fieldhouse, as required by Jake’s Law.
Valleybrook Sports Complex was selected for its central location and existing accessibility features, such as 19 ADA-compliant parking spaces and a synthetic turf field used by the Field of Dreams organization. These features, combined with the new inclusive playground, will make Valleybrook a premier destination for recreational equity in South Jersey.
This new playground will fill a critical gap in accessible play opportunities within the township and surrounding communities.
Triad Associates is honored to support Gloucester Township in creating a place where every child can play. The FY26 Green Acres Program is anticipated to start accepting applications in late September 2025. Planning a Green Acres project for FY26? Contact Triad Associates today to get started!
