Two new playgrounds are open for play for the students of Charles Olbon Elementary School, as well as the public outside of school hours.

Mayor Keith Kazmark announced that the play area would be dedicated to Ron Pascrell, a school board member who passed away on Sept. 24.

School district Superintendent Dr. Michele Pillari noted that the aftercare program at the school has first priority when utilizing the playgrounds and school facilities. Therefore, if aftercare is there, anyone from the public should not be there until the program is off of school grounds.

The Mayor and Council had been approached last year by the Board of Education and the Woodland Park Special Needs Advisory Committee (WP SNAC) seeking funding for the play area.  As a result, the Open Space Committee and Municipal Council unanimously approved $140,000 from the local open space trust fund to complete the project.

The Play World equipment was installed by George Ely Associates. One playground is designed for 2- to 5-year-olds and the other for 5- to 12-year-olds. There are a number of sensory play panels, as well as a piece called "Balance Trax" which improves balance skills by allowing children to walk along uneven platforms using handrails to encourage safe risk taking.