Millburn Township cut the ribbon Wednesday, Oct. 14, on a $1 million all-inclusive playground at Taylor Park, completing a renovation that broke ground Aug. 19.

Mayor Frank Saccomandi, Recreation Director Chris Myers and members of the Township Committee and Recreation Commission gathered for the ceremony, according to a township press release. The playground is open to the public.

The project replaced aging equipment with structures built for children of different ages and abilities. Two distinct play areas serve kids ages 2 to 5 and ages 5 to 12, connected by an accessible pathway. Benches line the path for supervising adults.

New inclusive features include a Seek & Find Panel System, a Freedom Inclusive Swing Seat, a Volta Inclusive Spinner, an Inclusive Orbit and Hex Shade Canopies. All equipment sits on new safety surfacing.

"We are excited to unveil this new playground that is designed so all children have equal access to participate in play regardless of ability, age, or comfort-level," Myers said in a township press release Wednesday, Oct. 14.

A $750,000 New Jersey Green Acres grant, received in 2025, covered the bulk of the cost. Millburn added $250,000 in capital funding to reach the $1 million total.

Before construction could start, Green Acres and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection required soil testing. That testing found a limited section of the playground footprint needed environmental controls, Patch reported. Workers installed demarcation fabric below the stone base and safety surface to meet state standards.

At a July 15 Recreation Commission meeting, Myers said a resolution passed June 18 had increased the payment cap for Suburban Consulting Engineering. The increase covered soil testing and monitoring costs, according to commission minutes.

Among those pictured at the ribbon-cutting alongside Saccomandi and Myers were Committeemen David R. Cosgrove and Jamie Serruto, Recreation Commission Chair Nick Romano, Business Administrator Alexander McDonald and several recreation staff members.

Taylor Park playground is open daily. For recreation programs and park hours, residents can visit the Millburn Township recreation page.