Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora and Recreation and Natural Resources Director Maria Richardson on Monday announced the completion of the newly renovated Martin Luther King Jr. playground and picnic grove at 679 Southard St.
The playground renovations were completed over five days in mid-October after removing the old playground equipment and installing the new furniture. The park now features brand new playground equipment, a new safety surface, and new picnic fixtures such as tables, benches, and grills.
“Park restoration projects like this are important for our city’s youth, who deserve access to safe places to have fun with their friends and families,” said Gusciora. “While it may be too chilly to enjoy the park now, we’ll continue working with our partners to secure the necessary funding for upgrades to all of our city parks so that our kids can enjoy them in the spring and summer.”
The total restoration project cost $117,000 and was funded with a matching grant under Mercer County’s innovative “Mercer at Play” program, which allocates funds to the City of Trenton for park renovations.
“Thank you Maria Richardson for moving the project forward,” said Councilwoman Marge Caldwell-Wilson. “Families and children in the North Ward will finally be able to utilize this park without having concern that the children would get hurt on broken play equipment.”
“We are grateful for every partnership that supports our efforts to restore our city, especially when they help our kids,” said Richardson. “I hope that the new playground and picnic area make the residents in this neighborhood proud. In the meantime, we are already moving forward with new basketball court facilities, playgrounds, and bleachers at other parks throughout the city.”
