Government

Seaside Heights’ New Bayfront Playground, Restrooms: Here’s What It Will Look Like

by
Daniel Nee
May 9, 2025

Renderings of the planned ‘inclusive playground’ in Seaside Heights, N.J. (Credit: Borough of Seaside Heights)

Seaside Heights officials this week finalized the financing for the long-awaited “inclusive playground” on the bayfront, a project that will add a state-of-the-art playground to Sunset Beach, accessible restrooms and improvements to the surrounding grounds. The project, which costs just under $1 million, is nearly funded in total by state grants under Jake’s Law, a program that sets aside funds for inclusive playground across New Jersey.

The borough is currently soliciting bids for the construction of the playground facility, and this week the council passed a bonding measure that will round out any costs that the grant – which will cover 75 percent of the project, and can be combined with a separate $100,000 grant – does not include.

The playground itself will include many features that can be found in most playgrounds like swing sets and carousels, however they will be designed specifically to be accessible – and fun, of course – for all children, disabled or not. A spin-around attraction would even allow wheelchairs to be loaded into the carrier for a quick ride, and “transfer decks” would likewise allow wheelchair access to swings and slides. The goal of Jake’s Law was to build playgrounds that are completely accessible, but not specifically limited to children with disabilities, in order to appeal to all children who would be able to play together.

The borough shared with Shorebeat several rendering of what the future playground will look like:

Renderings of the planned ‘inclusive playground’ in Seaside Heights, N.J. (Credit: Borough of Seaside Heights)

The restroom facilities will be located near the existing Stewart’s Root Beer stand.

“The new restroom is going to be like a concrete block – single stall, family use, restrooms – but it’s going to go in the front of the building, looking at the building from the road,” said Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz.

Renderings of the planned ‘inclusive playground’ in Seaside Heights, N.J. (Credit: Borough of Seaside Heights)

The playground itself will likely be installed in time for the bulk of the 2025 summer tourism season, Mayor Anthony Vaz has said, and the borough will ensure that the entire area around Sunset Park is squared away to welcome visitors.

“I’m hoping that will be in place for June or July,” he said.