GROVER CLEVELAND PARK
LOCATION: ESSEX FELLS, NJ
CLIENT: ESSEX COUNTY
MARKET SECTOR: PUBLIC
SIZE: $1.2 MILLION
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell/ Essex Fells serves as the seventh-largest park in the Essex County Park System. The over 100-year-old park was named after former President Grover Cleveland, who was born in Caldwell, NJ. When the County was ready to invest in an upgrade to the existing playground, PS&S was selected to design and prepare construction documents for the future playground improvements. The client looked to upgrade play equipment, enhance the spatial quality of the space, meet ADA guidelines, and provide a space for seating.
THE CHALLENGE
The surrounding area around the existing playground included numerous large, well-spaced shade trees and is bounded by the southeast by the Pine Brook Creek. The challenge was to design a new larger playground footprint while preserving as many existing large shade trees and avoiding encroachment into the limits of the Pine Brook Creek. The new playground needed to be able to support the more massive crowds and to provide a diversity of play equipment for a range of age groups.
THE PS&S SOLUTION
The final amoeba-shaped design was able to curve around and preserve most of the large shade trees. The biomorphic shapes reflected in the safety surface create a dynamic ground plane that works harmoniously in the space. The playground has two play areas: one for children ages 2-5 and one for children ages 5-12. There are climbing apparatus, slides, spinners, and swings for both age groups, including handicap-accessible swings, and the popular miniature zip line. There are also grassy areas where children can run and play, and in the center of the playground is a seating area from where parents can watch their children. The playground upgrades have been well received by Essex County and the local families of Essex Fells.