Woodbridge, Twp. -- Mayor John E. McCormac today announced the ground-breaking and start-of-construction of the new Cypress Park Level Playing Field and Recreational Facility located at the Cypress Recreational Center in Port Reading. The Cypress Park level playing field and fully-accessible recreational facility is specifically designed for challenged and handicapped children and young adults of all ages and abilities. The project was funded through a $1.5 million Recreational Facilities Special Needs Improvement grant from the State of New Jersey.
“We truly appreciate the consideration and funding assistance received from the State of New Jersey’s Recreational Facilities Special Needs Improvement program that allowed the Township to move forward with the construction of the Cypress Park level playing field and special needs recreational facility,” said Mayor McCormac. “I would like to thank Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, State Senator Joseph Vitale and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez for their leadership in securing the funding for this innovative and unique project which will provide recreational facilities to the Woodbridge Township special needs population.”
According to Mayor McCormac, the Cypress Park Level Playing Field will be usable for baseball, softball and soccer, plus a track around the entire complex that will afford special needs residents the opportunity to enjoy the mental and physical benefits of sports participation. Level playing fields and fully-accessible facilities provide handicapped and challenged citizens of all ages, skills and experience with many and varied play events. The custom-designed field and facilities include wheelchair access ramps and equipment that is fully compliant with federal, state, county and municipal safety standards.
“The state Grants-In-Aid program provides funding for projects that have wide-ranging benefits to the community. In this case, the $1.5 million dollars in state aid allowed Woodbridge Township to move forward with construction of special needs facilities that will benefit not only Woodbridge Township residents, but everyone visiting the Our House program at the Cypress Recreational Center,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.
Joining Mayor McCormac to participate in the ground-breaking ceremonies were Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Woodbridge Municipal Council President Cory Spillar, Councilman Brian Small, Councilman Gregg Ficarra, former Councilman James Carroll, Marissa Torrone, Director of the Our House Program at the Cypress Recreational Center, Vito Cimilluca, Director, Woodbridge Township Department of Recreation, John Cook, Coordinator, Cypress Recreational Center, Chris Kosty, Township Construction Manager and the staff and clients of Our House and the RISE Program.