Newark’s Sensory-Friendly Park Gets Thumbs Up From ‘An Autism Mom’ – Patch

NEWARK, NJ — A public park in Newark’s South Ward has been renovated to include a “first” for the city: sensory play equipment for children with autism and special needs.

On Monday, city officials and community members gathered for a ribbon cutting event at Ridgewood Park, which is located at 189-193 Ridgewood Avenue (at the corner of Ridgewood Avenue and West Bigelow Street).

According to a statement from the office of Mayor Ras Baraka, the new park upgrades a “pre-existing but outdated” playground with new equipment for youth aged 2-12. The new playground offers a rubber safety surface, colored concrete sidewalk within the park, backless and circular benches for seating for parents, planted shade trees and ornamental trees.

The park also includes a separate section with sensory play equipment for children with autism and special needs – which got a big round of applause from Nadine Wright-Arbubakr, president of the Essex County-based Nassan’s Place Inc.

“As an autism mom, I am very excited and grateful to Mayor Baraka, the Newark Municipal Council and the City of Newark for their ongoing endeavors to support families impacted by autism,” Wright-Arbubakr said.

“This sensory-friendly park is an example of their commitment of ensuring children and families living with an autism diagnosis have access to environments that can help them thrive and have fun in their community,” Wright-Arbubakr added.

The Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Local Aid Program provided a $150,000 grant for the project in June 2020.

The upgrade at Ridgewood Park is just the beginning, city officials said. There are plans to create a second park for children with autism and special needs on Hunterdon Street between Avon and Madison Avenues next spring.

“Creating inclusive outdoor environments for our city’s children to play in is critical to support their growth,” Baraka said. “We are proud to be opening the city’s first park designed for children with autism and special needs. This is a welcoming place, which will bring families together and enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood.”

Other supporters of the new playground included South Ward Council Member Patrick Council, Donnell Redding, the city’s director of Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services, and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr.

“Projects such as this not only improve our residents’ quality of life but also enhance property values and promote economic development,” DiVincenzo said.

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