Hunterdon Park: Recognizing Pica Disorder

April 6, 2016

Ruth Kang

Resnick, Marin. "Friends of Hunterdon Parks Seeks Donations to Build Special Needs Playground at Deer Path Park." New Jersey Hills. 6 Mar. 2016. Web. 06 Apr. 2016.

When people think of playgrounds, they automatically think that it is without a doubt-- safe for any child to hang around at. The park is usually associated as a trustworthy place because nothing in particular is necessarily dangerous or sharp at the park. However, most individuals do not keep in mind that there are children with special needs and disorders, in which the playground may be dangerous to them. For instance, some kids may be diagnosed with autism, while other kids may be diagnosed with pica disorder-- where they have the constant urge to eat nonfood items such as dirt and rocks. This is a significant and contemporary issue because there are dirt and rocks everywhere at most parks. However, there has been an astonishing rise of the amount of communities that actually recognize the high percentage of children with disorders, and therefore strive to make arrangements to their town’s playground in order to develop a safe play environment for all children.

Although some communities know about the dangers of the average playground, there are more individuals who do not know about the current issue of children being put into possible danger from the main aspects that make up the park such as the dirt, sticks, and even rocks on the ground. Nonetheless, in the recent article “Friends of Hunterdon Parks seeks donations to build special needs playground at Deer Path Park” by Marin Resnick, the president of the nonprofit organization, Celeste M. Lane, claims that she is seeking to develop a special place for individuals with special needs to play. Specifically, she states that she is looking forward to creating a new playground that is “safe and fun for everyone to exercise, socialize, play and bask in their amazing milestones together.” In addition, she adds that the “park’s surface will be pica-resistant and tumble safe.” Along these lines, Lane explains that she was inspired to make this new quarter-acre park because of a young girl named Rachael-- in which she was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome and pica disorder. Rachael truly made Lane realize that there are hundreds of children and adults like Rachael in the community and there is absolutely no park that can provide each a safe place for everyone to exercise, socialize, play and bask in their milestones together. Despite that, Celeste later on mentions that the plan has seeked approval by the entire Board of Freeholders of Hunterdon County to have the park built at Deer Path Park, after presenting her idea to them. Although it would cost a total of $800,000 in order to create the playground, Lane does not back down, and does not lose hope. Her daughters’ have already raised $400 from their classmates and teachers, and large organizations such as The Center for Educational Advancement and ShopRite of Hunterdon County are their #1 supporters. Lane explains herself, “In the same spirit I believe we can do this as a community with the help of our Hunterdon County corporations, large and small business and families as a whole. We can make this happen for well deserved community members and their families.”

Overall, I believe that creating the quarter-acre park safe for everyone to play in is a phenomenal, and smart plan. Although it is quite pricey (a total of $800,000) to build the new playground-- I think that it is worth creating because there are thousands of kids who are diagnosed with different kinds of disorders. The problem of course is not that they have a condition; the problem is that there are some aspects of the park that is unsafe for them, and that there is not a safe enough area for them to play in, which makes it a bit unfair. For instance, kids and adults with pica disorder may have the urge to eat the dirt lying on the ground, which may contain harmful items such as glass, cigarette butts, and in general, dirt is pretty unsanitary itself. Although some people may argue that it is the parent’s responsibility to make sure that the kids/adults do not consume these items, it is pretty much everyone and uncontrollable, so it is not the guardian’s fault if they fail to keep the items away from them. Disregarding that, the largest issue about developing a new park friendly for everyone is that it is very expensive. Although many other individuals may think that the goal of $800,000 would be impossible to reach, I think the total opposite. I am confident that Lane will reach her goal. According to the article, Shoprite, the Center for Educational Advancement and even Lane's daughters have raised quite a lot of money already from different kinds of fundraisers, as well as generous donations from the community to support the cause. All in all, I strongly believe that there is no point in being pessimistic about this great and amazing plan. Even if the goal is not reached, it is quite remarkable that Lane has allowed more people of Hunterdon Parks to open their eyes and realize and acknowledge how many children and adults are affected by different kinds of disorders.

Resnick, Marin. "Friends of Hunterdon Parks Seeks Donations to Build Special Needs Playground at

Deer Path Park." New Jersey Hills. 6 Mar. 2016. Web. 06 Apr. 2016.