New Jersey § 13:8c-27

§ 13:8c-27.

a. As used in this section: “ Commissioner ” means the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. “ Completely inclusive playground ” means a playground designated for public use for children two to five years of age

or five to twelve years of age, with an accessible playground surface, a playground

surface inspection and maintenance schedule consistent with the standards detailed

in the “Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990” ( 42 U.S.C. s.12101 et seq. ), and designed in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to subsection

b. of section 2 of P.L.1999, c. 50 ( C.52:27D-123.10 ). “ Constitutionally dedicated moneys ” means the same as that term is defined in section 3 of P.L.1999, c. 152 ( C.13:8C-3 ). “ Green Acres bond act ” means: P.L.1961, c. 46; P.L.1971, c. 165; P.L.1974, c. 102; P.L.1978, c. 118;

P.L.1983, c. 354; P.L.1987, c. 265; P.L.1989, c. 183 ; P.L.1992, c. 88 ; P.L.1995, c. 204 ; P.L.2007, c. 119 ; P.L.2009, c. 117 ; and any State general obligation bond act that may be approved after the date of

enactment of P.L.2018, c. 104 ( C.13:8C-27.1 et al.) for the purpose of providing funding for the acquisition or development of

lands for recreation and conservation purposes or for farmland preservation purposes. “ Green Acres funds ” means constitutionally dedicated moneys, Green Acres bond act moneys, or other State

moneys appropriated to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes. “ Recreation and conservation purposes ” means the use of lands for beaches, biological or ecological study, boating, camping,

fishing, forests, greenways, hunting, natural areas, parks, playgrounds, protecting

historic properties, water reserves, watershed protection, wildlife preserves, active

sports, or a similar use for either public outdoor recreation or conservation of natural

resources, or both. b. Commencing one year after the effective date of P.L.2018, c. 104 ( C.13:8C-27.1 et al.), 1 the commissioner shall prioritize any application submitted by a county seeking to

acquire or develop lands for recreational and conservation purposes using Green Acres

funds, provided that the Green Acres funds requested by the county are to be used

for the design and construction of a completely inclusive playground. The commissioner shall grant further prioritization to the applications submitted

by counties that do not currently operate and maintain a completely inclusive playground,

to ensure at least one completely inclusive playground is operated and maintained

by each county. c. The board of chosen freeholders of any county or any county park commission may

partner with nonprofit organizations, playground equipment manufacturers, playground

safety consultants, and persons with disabilities with a demonstrated expertise in

the design and construction of completely inclusive playgrounds, to assist with the

design and construction of completely inclusive playgrounds. Any agreement entered into in accordance with this section shall not be subject

to the requirements and provisions of the “Local Public Contracts Law,” P.L.1971,

c. 198 ( C.40A:11-1 et seq. ). d. If the board of chosen freeholders of any county or any county park commission

jointly enters into an agreement with a municipality pursuant to R.S.40:12-9 for the construction and maintenance of a completely inclusive playground, for purposes

of the prioritization of an application submitted by a county pursuant to subsection

b. of this section, a completely inclusive playground constructed and maintained pursuant

to such an agreement shall be operated and maintained by the county in which it is

located. 1

L.2018, c. 104, eff. Aug. 23, 2018.