BCI Burke
In 2011, several mothers of children with special needs recognized the need for an inclusive playground in their community, where children of all abilities could play, exercise and have fun together. Over the next two years, they raised $350,000 with help from the local United Way Chapter, private donors and the New York Jets. These funds were used to purchase and construct a NEW Burke inclusive play space for the entire Morris County Community to enjoy. Volunteers from the area gathered to install the impressive 7,700 square foot play structure titled the Jets Play 60 All-Access Playground. Several members of the New York Jets football team attended the groundbreaking ceremony, and joined with local children to plant cherry trees, which will grow to become a natural shade cover for the playground.
The Morris Park Alliance and the Morris County Park Commission recently received the prestigious 2015 Ruth Hughes Innovative Accessible Recreation Facility Award from the New Jersey Commission on Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities for this incredible, inclusive space. This award represents the acknowledgement of the collaboration between the New York Jets, the Morris Park Alliance and the Morris County Park Commission to build a recreational facility that allows children of all abilities to play and learn together in a shared space.