Township Manager Joseph Hartnett announced today the formation of a steering committee to raise private donations for the planned full-access playground at Edgemont Memorial Park. “I am delighted that Mayor Ed Remsen has agreed to co-chair this committee with me and that he will be extremely active in this noble pursuit,” Hartnett said. “We are also very pleased that Second Ward Council Member Robin Schlager has agreed to chair the General Giving subcommittee,” the Manager stated. The other key member of the steering committee is Susan Irby, former Chairperson of the Township’s People with Disabilities Advisory Committee. “Susan and her committee have been incredibly instrumental in moving this project along,” Hartnett said “and we are gratified with their intense commitment to making sure this playground gets built.” The Manager also pointed-out that John Cronogue, representing the Friends of Edgemont Park Committee, has been a “dedicated and valuable contributor to the nuts and bolts of moving this project along.”

Hartnett said the committee is being named the “For All Children Committee.” Plans for the special playground, technically referred to as a “full-access playground,” call for a series of playstations and a playground surface and entrances that are all designed to accommodate children with disabilities and special needs. The playground, for example, will accommodate children who utilize wheelchairs. The Township’s Director of Community Services, Steve Wood, has also been “a great help with this project,” Hartnett noted, pointing-out that Mr. Wood will continue to work with the committee.

“Unfortunately,” Hartnett explained “playgrounds of this nature are extremely expensive, costing as much as four times or more what a standard playground costs.” The Manager noted that Township Council has committed $200,000 to this project and the Township has obtained a $50,000 State grant towards it. “But the playground is going to cost $400,000,” the Manager said, “which is why we have a fundraising goal of $150,000 to seek from private donations and foundation grants.” He noted that it is intended to have the playground constructed in the Spring of 2008, “so we will be working overtime to achieve our fundraising goals.”

The Manager said that in all likelihood the fundraising effort would offer people the opportunity to contribute toward individual play stations as well as other components of the playground. He concluded that the For All Children Committee would be having an organizing meeting this month and will have regular public announcements thereafter. “We feel very confident that the people of Montclair will want to support this highly worthwhile goal of giving children with special needs the opportunity to enjoy the same kind of playground experience that is important to all children,” he said.

Anyone interested in helping with this cause or working with the committee may contact the committee through Manager Hartnett at 973-509-4926 or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .