The Rotary Club of Hillsborough Funds New Communication Board at Ann Van Middlesworth Park Special Needs Playground 

HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, NJ —Continuing its multi-year commitment to inclusive play, the Rotary Club of Hillsborough has funded a new Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) board at the Ann Van Middlesworth (AVM) Park special needs playground. Funded by proceeds from the annual Rotary Fair, this accessibility feature marks another step toward enhancing Somerset County’s premier universal play space.

A communication board is a form of AAC that uses words, pictures, and symbols to support communication. By pointing to symbols on the board, individuals can express needs, make choices, share ideas, and interact with others. AAC supports people who do not use spoken language, have limited or emerging speech, or benefit from visual communication supports. Installing a board directly in a public park environment makes communication accessible on the playground, fostering inclusion, independence, and meaningful participation for visitors of all abilities.

"Rotary Club of Hillsborough, in partnership with Hillsborough Township, is committed to creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to participate, connect, and feel included," said Ashley Rose, project lead for the Rotary Club. "We are proud to donate this communication board to Ann Van Middlesworth Park as a meaningful step toward making our shared community spaces more accessible and welcoming for individuals of all abilities."

The new addition builds on the Rotary Club's ongoing support for Ann Van Middlesworth Park, following last year's funding for interactive sensory boards. The park holds a special distinction in the region: opened in 2010, it was the first inclusive playground in Somerset County and one of fewer than a dozen universal playgrounds nationwide at the time. The initiative was originally spearheaded in 2010 by current Township Administrator and Special Needs Advocate Anthony Ferrera during his tenure on the Township Committee, built through community volunteer build days and funded entirely without taxpayer dollars.

"Back in 2010 when we built this playground, our goal was simple: build a place where kids of all abilities could play side-by-side without placing a burden on our taxpayers,” said Administrator Ferrera.  “To see how far we've come, and to watch community partners like The Rotary Club continually step up to make it even better, is incredibly gratifying. This new communication board ensures that non-verbal and speech-emerging children have a voice on the playground." 

For residents who have watched the park evolve over the past decade and a half, the continuous enhancements hold deep personal significance.

"I was involved with the Universal Playground at Ann Van Middlesworth Park when it first opened, and again when it reopened, so this park has always been special to me," shared Hillsborough resident Veliko (Lee) Bekir. "Being in a wheelchair, I remember taking my grandson there when he was about three years old and being able to go right into the playground with him while he enjoyed everything there. That’s what accessibility is really about. I want to thank the Township and everyone who has been part of this over the years, including the people who helped get it started, the volunteers, and those who have donated their time and money to keep it going and make it better. I really appreciate what everyone has done and continues to do. It's just one more reason to love Hillsborough."

"Hillsborough is a town built on community spirit, and the Rotary Club continues to exemplify what 'Service Above Self' truly means,” added Mayor Catherine Payne. “Thanks to the funds raised at the Rotary Fair, Ann Van Middlesworth Park is once again leading the way in inclusive recreation. We are deeply grateful for Rotary's ongoing investment in our township’s public spaces." 

Guided by their motto "Service Above Self," the Rotary Club of Hillsborough supports local initiatives year-round, including funding ten $3,000 post-secondary scholarships for Hillsborough residents, alongside extensive volunteer and financial support for local veterans and active military members.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Hillsborough or township recreational programs, visit their website.

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About Hillsborough Township

Hillsborough Township is a Somerset County community governed by a five-member Township Committee and committed to transparent government, responsive services, and a high quality of life for all residents.

About The Rotary Club of Hillsborough

The Rotary Club of Hillsborough has approximately 30 active members from Hillsborough and the surrounding communities. Members include business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. All funds raised by The Rotary Club of Hillsborough are used to support a wide variety of community service organizations and projects, including scholarships for graduating seniors.