"Play For All" is our mission and the South River Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of  programs that residents can enjoy. We encourage you to sign up for one of the many programs offered.

SOUTH RIVER, NEW JERSEY

South River, located in Central New Jersey, is a small town with approximately fifteen thousand residents. Incorporated in 1898, it is culturally diverse and is inclusive of many churches representing various religions observed by our residents.

Like many towns in America, it is a blue collar community with very deep roots. There is a Main Street, two Fire Houses one Library, a Primary, Elementary, Middle and High School. During the fall months our Football Stadium is filled with residents cheering for the South River High School Rams. The Borough has eleven parks that are within walking distance of homes, apartment complexes and public transportation. Some parks feature baseball or soccer/multi-purpose fields, basketball and tennis courts, picnic facilities and play equipment for children of all ages. Others offer residents a bucolic landscape setting to sit and read a book or socialize with fellow residents. On any given weekend, it is easy to spot residents, families with children, both young and senior citizens enjoying and utilizing our parks and recreation facilities.

Our parks are indeed pleasant and enjoyable but I believe there is something intrinsically missing. Some of our children are not as fortunate as other children who are able to play on our beautiful baseball and soccer fields or climb the one or two steps of a playground set or walk across the wood chips and grass surrounding the play equipment.

What I believe is significantly missing is a Multi Accessible Playground. M.A.P.s are not just for children with disabilities, they are for all children and they are actually better playgrounds for all.
There are less steps and tripping hazards. Their ramps with slight inclines encourage children to run and be more active. The rubberized surface that the unit rest on is safer then wood chips that in time deteriorate. A Multi Accessible Playground does not limit use, it is inclusive, and it teaches children to be respectful of others and their abilities.

Currently the town provides baseball, football, and soccer fields, basketball, tennis courts and even a skate park for our residents to enjoy. On any given day during the year anybody can take their kids to a playground and let them enjoy the swings, see-saws, slides, or a jungle-gym apparatus. Two of our parks even offer fishing and outdoor exercise equipment for adults.

A Boundless Playground would show that we care about even the single child in a group that has special needs. Equipment that would allow handicapped children to enjoy the parks alongside those that play baseball and basketball would benefit the entire community the same way a church, senior center or community outreach program does. All of them serve a special interest that seeks to improve the lives of those they serve. I cannot speak for an entire community, nor would I try. I can only guess that nobody would look at a Multi Accessible Playground in full use and not see its benefits to the community and to the individual child that would have someplace to play.

Luckily we are not a community of special needs children, but we are a community with children that have special needs. For some children it would probably be the first time they ever played on a swing, slide or climbing apparatus. I would only hope that the joy of that moment would last them a lifetime

Play that includes children of all abilities is important because it breaks down barriers that prevent special needs children from interacting with their peers. What is acceptable for some is an obstacle for others. The wood chips that surround our playgrounds, adequately insulate a child from a fall from a swing or slide. However they are not a suitable surface for children in wheelchairs or walkers. Though considered to be accessible they are not an easy surface for children in wheelchairs or walkers to maneuver. The wood chips actually make their equipment dig into the ground and render them immobile. On most playground equipment there are two points of entry. The first point is via two or more steps leading to what I would consider the playing/transfer platform or deck. Depending on the disability a child can participate or just sit on the platform and be pa rt of a social setting. The second point of entry is usually by climbing a vertical ladder or pole that is usually three of four feet in height. Obviously to a child in a wheel chair or walker these two points of entry present barriers that must be overcome so they can enjoy themselves on the equipment. Swing sets that do not have high backs to cradle the occupant are unusable for some children. Monkey Bars are horizontal ladders that are completely impossible for many children, not just those with physical, mental or visual limitations. Simply stated, traditional playground equipment is not functional, practical or even usable for any child that cannot run or walk without the use of a devise to aid them.

There are three reasons why play that includes children of all abilities is important to me, Inclusion, Opportunity and Enjoyment.

1) A Multi Accessible Playground offers equipment that children of many abilities can utilize. Not just those that can run, jump and swing on their own. There are extra-wide slides, high backed swing sets, ramps for points of entry, directional guides for the visually impaired, rubberized surface, chime sets and climbing areas that are accessible from the ground, single person jumping platforms and my favorite the vertical bar slide.

2) A Multi Accessible Playground provides all children with an opportunity to play and learn together. In a perfect world, there are parks that all children can enjoy. Everybody gets a turn on a swing or slide. There is never a wait at a see saw and everybody gets to play in the sandbox. The only children sitting down are those taking a break from the excitement and enjoying a snack or beverage. The reality is there are a lot of parks like that, but so long as one child is turned away because the equipment cannot accommodate them, then the park is not adequate. A Multi Accessible Playground does not exclude because of their limitations, but rather their limitations are taken into account and are incorporated into the equipment.

3) Playing is more then just using a swing or slide. Playing teaches socialization skills that we all need to develop into adulthood. Waiting on line, letting someone take a turn, and learning not to stare at others are things that all parents teach their children. A park is a perfect setting to teach such skills, and a park that accommodates all children is even better.

Currently in New Jersey there are only two handicapped accessible playgrounds that are open to the public. Both are more than a one hour drive by car from South River and finding them takes more than just luck. There are more than ten parks within the borough and most are within walking distance of homes, apartments and public transportation.

In closing I do not want the reader to think that I am against traditional park equipment. No park facility would be complete without its standard swings, slides, monkey bars, and see saws. Children of all ages enjoy them and at any park they encourage children to play, learn and socialize. That is precisely why a Multi Accessible Playground is so important to a child with physical, mental or visual limitations. It gives them a chance to play, learn and socialize just like their peers in an environment that ALL children can enjoy.

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FSRP By-Laws

ARTICLE I

Incorporated for the following purposes:
a) To establish, support and improve the Parks and Parks Equipment located and operated within the Borough of South River, New Jersey. Including but limited to the acquisition of handicapped accessible park equipment, improved and expanded recreation facilities that are in compliance to the American Disability Act,(ADA), and promote programs that encourage participation of all residents and children regardless of their ability.
b) To solicit and receive voluntary contributions of money in accordance with the provisions of “The Corporations and Associations Not For Profit Act” (Title 15, New Jersey Statutes Annotated, of the Revised Statutes of 1937) and the supplements thereto and acts amendatory thereof.
e) To do all such acts as are necessary or convenient in furthering the objectives and purposes above recited and to exercise all powers conferred upon the Corporation by the Laws of the State of New Jersey now or hereafter in effect.
f) This Corporation is not organized for pecuniary profit and no activities of the Corporation shall be engaged in for profit or commercial purposes. No part of the activities of this Corporation shall consist of the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation.

ARTICLE II
1. The registered office of the Corporation shall be at P.O.Box 641, Borough of South River, Middlesex County, New Jersey.
2. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be from January 1 through December 31.

ARTICLE III
EXECUTIVE BOARD
1. The business of this Corporation shall be managed by an Executive Board. The Executive Board shall consist of the elected Officers and Trustees, Honorary Trustees, Immediate Past President and the Chairpersons of the Standing Committees.
2. The Trustees, 7 in number, shall be elected by the members of the Corporation so that one-third of the Trustees shall in each year be elected for a three-year term. 3.
3. Any vacancy occurring in the Executive Board during any year shall be filled until the completion of the unexpired term by a majority vote of all the remaining members of the Executive Board present and voting at its first meeting following the creation of the vacancy.
4. All terms of office shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting.
5. No member of the Executive Board shall receive, directly or indirectly, any salary or compensation of any kind for such service from the Corporation.

ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
1. The Officers of the Corporation shall be a President, one Vice-President, one Secretary and one Treasurer.
2. The Officers are elected for a period of one year and they may be reelected.
3. The Executive Board may choose and appoint such other officers and agents as it may deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as from time to time shall be prescribed by the Board.
4. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and of the General Membership. The President shall be a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President shall have such additional powers and duties as usually pertain to this office, and as may from time to time be assigned to the President by the Executive Board.
5. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President to serve. The Vice-President shall be Program Chairperson.
6. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all the meetings of the Corporation and of the Executive Board. The Secretary or President shall, when authorized by the Executive Board, have the power to affix the corporate seal to all documents, certificates, contracts or other instruments which require the seal. Also, the Secretary shall be the official custodian of the records of the Corporation and shall give and serve all notices to the members of the Executive Board and General Membership and shall have such additional powers and duties as usually pertain to this office.
7. The Treasurer shall have charge of the books of account and financial records of the Corporation, and shall be responsible for its funds. The Treasurer shall render financial statements at all regularly scheduled meetings and submit all financial records to the Executive Board at any time requested by the President. The President, Vice President or the Treasurer shall sign all checks drawn against the funds of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall maintain a checking account and such other accounts as the Executive Board may from time to time determine. The Treasurer shall cause to be prepared an annual report of the finances of the Corporation. Pursuant to Article IV, Section 4, an Auditing Committee of at least two members shall conduct an annual audit of the financial records of the Corporation.
8. The Corporation may provide a bond annually for the Treasurer in an amount to be determined by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES
1. The Chairpersons and members of all Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.
2. The Standing Committees are as follows:
Fund Raising: shall develop and execute activities that will enable the Association to fund projects.
Grants: shall apply for grants in order to further the purposes and activities of the Association.
Membership: shall obtain new and maintain current members of the Association.

ARTICLE VI
MEMBERSHIP
1. The General Membership shall be open to any person above the age of 18 who lives or works in South River, graduated from the South River school system.
2. There shall be no limit upon the number of members.

ARTICLE VII
DUES
1. The annual dues shall be as established from year to year by the Executive Board. The dues shall be payable annually on the first day of January.

ARTICLE VIII
MEETINGS
1. There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Corporation held in November, on a date designated by the Executive Board.
2. A notice of all regularly scheduled General Membership meetings, including the Annual Meeting, shall be mailed once a year to each member or family unit at the address as it appears on the membership rolls not later than fourteen days prior to the date of the General or Annual Meeting, indicating the time and place thereof.
3. Special meetings of the membership may be called by action of the Executive Board at any time. Notice of a special meeting shall be published in the local newspaper at least five days before the date for such special meeting, and shall state the reason for which the meeting has been called, by whom the meeting has been called and the business to be transacted.
4. The Secretary shall remind the Executive Board members the week prior to each Executive Board meeting.
5. Executive Board meetings may be called by the President at any time upon notification to all Board members stating the reason for the meeting.
6. Any five members of the Executive Board may, at any time, cause a special meeting of the Executive Board to be called by directing a written request to the President stating the reason for the meeting.

ARTICLE IX
QUORUM
1. A quorum of the Executive Board shall be five members of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE X
ELECTION AND VOTING AT MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
1. Each member in good standing shall have one vote. There shall be no proxy voting.
2. Voting need not be by written ballot.
3. Nominations for Officers and Trustees shall be presented at the Annual Meeting by the Nominating Committee appointed by the President pursuant to Article IV, Section 3.
4. Nominations may be made from the floor by any member of the Corporation in good standing provided the nominee has agreed to serve if elected.

ARTICLE XI
USE OF CORPORATE FUNDS
1. No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall enure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, Trustees, Officers, or other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make expenditures in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.
2. No part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

ARTICLE XII
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
1. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority except where it is in conflict with the By-Laws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS
1. These By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed, or expanded by an affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of the Executive Board then in office.
2. These By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed, or expanded by an affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of the Corporation General Membership present at any Annual or special meeting called for that purpose after at least two weeks prior notice..

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Gifts to the Association are tax deductible within the limit of the law.