A 12,500 square-foot playground was dedicated in honor of the former board president of the Burlington County Special School Services District on Oct. 6.
Burlington County Commissioners joined with state Sen. Troy Singleton, BCSSSD Superintendent Dr. Christopher Nagy, district administrators, BCSSSD staff, students, local officials and the local community at the ribbon cutting of the Robert Silcox Memorial Playground on the Westampton campus.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the playground was held earlier this year in March.
The late Robert C. Silcox Sr. was a longtime president and member of the combined Burlington County Special Services School District and Burlington County Institute of Technology Board of Education.
His combined board service for both Mount Holly and BCIT and BCSSSD lasted more than 40 years. His wife, Marsha, and members of his family were present at the dedication.
He was president and owner of Terra Associates, a commercial real estate and development company for over 46 years, according to his obituary.
Marsha cut the ribbon to the playground and participated with board president Tyler Burrell and County Commissioner and Deputy Director Tom Pullion in the unveiling of the sign.
Nagy noted in his opening remarks that a playground is not just a place, it’s an adventure waiting to happen. The playground is a place where children learn how to navigate the world. On the playground, kids learn to share, collaborate and build friendships. Playgrounds are a reminder that we’re never too old to have fun and to play.
The new playground will feature a new safe play surface and new equipment designed to be accessible and barrier free. It includes an adaptive swing, sensory friendly wall, chimes, a playhouse and more. It will be for special services students but will also be open to the public to use when school is not in session.
The upgrade is being funded through a special cost-share agreement approved by the Burlington County Commissioners. As soon as the ceremony ended, students stormed the new playground and began to play.