Below are some favorite universal playgrounds. For more playgrounds in New Jersey including photographs, descriptions and a mom’s commentary, visit New Jersey Playgrounds online. We welcome your recommendations, too. Please email them to kids@kidsguidenj.com.
See general listings under Outdoors-Parks & Playgrounds for additional playgrounds.
Central Park of Morris County
91 Central Ave., Morris Plains. Fully accessible facilities include state-of-the-art all-access playground, Challenger League rubberized surface ballfield, two lighted regulation size in-line skating rinks, restrooms and walking trails. Park also features 5K cross country trail, fitness stations, 5-acre dog park and ball fields.
Challenger Place–Monmouth County Park
Dorbrook Recreation Area, 209 Rt. 537E, Colts Neck. Universally accessible play facility includes elevated surfaces, Braille signs and three play structures with areas where children of varied abilities can play together.
Edgemont Park All Children's Playground
20 Edgemont Rd., Montclair. Full playground offers universal access for children of all ages and abilities.
Memorial Park
713 Cumberland St., Westfield. Built by Greg Ryan, Jr. in 2004 for his Boy Scout Eagle Project, the wheelchair-accessible playground includes a sidewalk from the parking lot to a ramped playground structure with rubber surfacing, two infant, two regular and four special needs swings, one accessible picnic table and four benches.
Morris-Union Jointure Playground
340 Central Ave., New Providence. Open for use by the public on weekends and after 6pm weekdays. Playground, specially designed for children with special needs, features swings with high sides, platform swing, basketball court, enclosed slides, reduced-height climbing bars, cushioned with a 15-inch carpet of wood chips.
Phil Rizzuto Park
594 Morris & North Aves. (across from Kean University), Union, 908-527-4900. 10.4-acre recreational area features a fully accessible play area for children of all physical abilities. The park is decorated with baseball themes, a baseball-style seating area, gazebo with stadium-theme overhead, and granite dedication monument. Other attractions include a spray pool, pedestrian bridge, soccer field and para-course fitness stations.
Rainbow Land
Midland School, 94 Readington Rd., North Branch. Fully handicapped accessible playground for student and community use features sandbox and planter, mock post office and bank, large tire toy, small theater, wheelchair slider, slides, swings and numerous other sensory-motor activities.
Tony's Place–Monmouth County Park
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, 221 Ocean Ave. N, Long Branch. Seaside-themed, universal access playground at the beach; concession stand; restrooms, changing facilities.
Van Saun Park
216 Forest Ave. (Rt. 4E to Forest Ave., turn right at exit), Paramus, 201-262-3771. Playground with multiple-age play areas, sprinkler, picnic areas, zoo, train ride and carousel. See listing for Bergen County Zoo.
Votee Park
Located at the northern end of the park, 1097-1235 Palisade Ave., Teaneck. Wheelchair accessible construction, designed for children ages 2-12, is surrounded by a fence and consists of supportive swings, hanging bars and slides on a rubber surface.
