District 8 Legislators celebrate $80,000 grant for Hammonton School playground

Hammonton Board President excited to bring Penny Park ‘Back to Life’

HAMMONTON - Senator Latham Tiver (R-08) and Assemblyman Michael Torrissi Jr. (R-08) joined the Hammonton School District in celebrating the award of $80,000 from the competitive State Local Recreation Improvement Grant. 

“My hometown of Hammonton has always been aggressive in pursuing grants that strengthen the community while saving local taxpayers money. I congratulate Hammonton Schools on this award, which will make life more fun for the kids in the district,” Assemblyman Torrissi said. 

The grant funds will offset costs for much needed upgrades to the Warren E. Sooy Elementary School playground.  These upgrades include additional swings, a climbing structure, slides, and a walking path.

"This new playground space at the Warren E. Sooy Elementary School will ensure that our kids have another opportunity to spend time outdoors, away from technology, exercising in a safe and healthy way.  I, along with my administrative team here in Hammonton, are committed to continually improving our facilities for all of our more than 3,000 students across the Hammonton School District." said Hammonton Superintendent Tom Ramsay.

The new playground equipment will be located on the site of the former "Penny Park," which was a community fundraising effort that erected a wooden park in the mid 1990s. It was removed in recent years due to age and safety concerns.

"We can't thank Assemblyman Torrissi and Senator Tiver enough for their support in receiving these grant funds.  With their help, we are bringing Penny Park back to life. I'd also like to credit our Assistant Superintendent Lori Scibilia who put this project together and worked with our professionals and our legislators to get this over the finish line." said Hammonton BOE President John Lyons

“With the hard work and dedication of our local school and town officials, we were able to pull in nearly $1 million to improve local parks and playgrounds throughout our legislative district,” said Senator Tiver. “We’re thrilled that Hammonton Schools was one of the awardees and will continue to enhance its facilities to better serve the children of the township.”