New Inclusive and Accessible Features at Atsion Recreation Area
A Place for Everyone’s Enjoyment, Recreation, and Fun in the Sun!!
Hi to all in the Access Nature pack! I have exciting news for inclusive and accessible summer recreation. In 2023, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) and Green Acres have focused on numerous projects to advance inclusive and accessible outdoor recreation opportunities.
These improvements include more inclusive playgrounds. In 2018, Governor Murphy signed a bill called “Jake’s Law”. This bill now incentivizes counties, municipalities, and state agencies to build inclusive playgrounds for children and adults with disabilities. The passing of this bill is a progressive leap forward and provides the chance to ensure countless New Jersey children, of every ability, have a place to learn, play, and interact with their peers.
The NJ State Park Service recently installed roughly 20 new playgrounds statewide, many of them in southern New Jersey. One of these sites is the very popular Atsion Recreation Area on Route 206 in Shamong, NJ.
There will be a ribbon cutting at the Atsion Recreation Area on June 22, 2023 to celebrate this state-wide accomplishment. The event will kick off at 11 am. There are two new playgrounds at Atsion, one of which is a “hard surface” inclusive playground. Atsion had other improvements completed to the site’s sidewalks and ramps to improve accessibility to the recreational area and playground. Other inclusive and accessible features at Atsion include two ADA nature and interpretive trails totaling a mile and a half. In addition, Atsion will be adding “beach mats” to improve access for individuals with mobility concerns using assistive mobility devices on the sandy beach to get to the lake’s waterfront.
Please join us at the ribbon-cutting ceremony! Here are the details:
When: Thursday, June 22nd at 11:00 AM
Where: Atsion Recreation Area, 744 US-206 Shamong, NJ 08088. Click for Google Map Directions here.
With these improvements, the state is paving the way toward a new and improved sense of inclusion and accessibility to the disabled community. Now, those seeking opportunities for outdoor recreation and shared experiences with friends and family will have the chance to have fun in the sun together.
I am hopeful that those interested in this event will be able to join us as we celebrate these accomplishments and our shared commitment to providing access to nature and public facilities in the Pinelands and New Jersey as a whole.