City of Trenton Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Newly Constructed Playground at Cooper Field Sports Complex

Trenton, N.J. – On June 4, 2025, Mayor W. Reed Gusciora, Senator Shirley K. Turner of the 15th District, South Ward Councilwoman Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg, Councilwoman At-Large Crystal Feliciano, North Ward Councilwoman Jennifer Williams, Interim Parks & Recreation Director Paul Harris, and students and faculty from Parker Intermediate School celebrated the newly constructed playground at Cooper Field Sports Complex.

The area, prior to the installation of the playground, was an open lot overgrown with vegetation and filled with debris. It has been transformed into a play space that can accommodate over 150 children at a time.

“Cooper Park playground marks a proud moment for our city as we open the doors to what will be a space where everyone in our community can connect, grow, and enjoy,” said Mayor Gusciora. “With a welcoming community pool, a modern mini pitch, and a play area, we’re not just investing in recreation — we’re investing in inclusion, health, and the future of our residents. Cooper Field Sports Complex is a park built for everyone; it stands as a symbol of our shared commitment to our city. My deepest thanks to Senator Turner, our Recreation Director Harris, and the City Council for their support in making this vision a reality.”

The over 16,000 square foot playground is divided into two play zones: one for toddlers aged 2–5 with a tropical theme, and another for kids aged 5–12, complete with climbing nets up to 4 meters high. The play area has barrier-free access with new sidewalks and entry points, ensuring everyone, including caregivers with mobility challenges, can enjoy this space together. Both areas have a variety of ground-level play and sensory pieces for children of all abilities, exceeding ADA requirements. Additional amenities include a chess table and picnic tables with more benches, grills, and a splashpad coming soon.

Construction of the playground was completed in a month with breaks in between for equipment arrival and weather delays. In total, the new playground cost $1,009,782.90, which was secured through American Rescue Plan Act funds by Senator Turner.

"This playground is truly magnificent. It gives me great joy to help bring a space like this to the South Ward, right here in the great city of Trenton and the state of New Jersey. It is a marvelous place for our young people to play, learn, and grow. Our children deserve safe, vibrant spaces like this. I’m deeply proud to support this vision, and I thank everyone who helped make it a reality," stated Senator Turner.

"This isn't just another park project— this is home. I grew up on these streets. I played on the sidewalks that had no safe place for kids to run, laugh, and dream. To now bring a beautiful, modern park right here, where it's long needed, is one of the proudest moments of my service. This is a win for all of us–for the kids who deserve better, for the families who've stayed committed to this neighborhood, and for the next generation who now have a space made for them." South Ward Councilwoman Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg.

“The Grand Opening of Cooper Park was exciting! Thank you to Senator Turner for the funding to allow this to happen and to Mayor Gusciora, Interim Director Harris, and his awesome team, along with consultant Randy Baum, for all of the great work in making this come to life. This is the work we committed to when we took office, to help make the city better and increase the quality of life for our residents. This was another job well done and a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. To my Council Colleagues, thank you!" said Councilwoman Feliciano.

“This park is incredibly important to the City of Trenton. Children from both the North and South Wards now have direct access to a safe, beautiful space to play, swim, and grow. I encourage everyone to tell their friends and neighbors to come out and enjoy it,” said Councilwoman Williams. “We could not have achieved this without Senator Turner’s support and all that she has done for our city. Thank you to Mayor Gusciora for prioritizing our children and our parks, and to Director Harris and my Council colleagues for their continued dedication.”

"We’re proud to unveil our biggest playground to date with this ribbon-cutting ceremony. As we look to improve the quality of life for all of our residents, it's important to give families a safe and fun location to enjoy themselves. With a new playground, joining the mini pitch basketball court and swimming pool, Cooper Sports Complex will serve as a prime destination for activity this summer and in the future. We’re also grateful to Senator Turner, Mayor Gusciora, and the City Council for their help in making this project possible,” said Interim Director Harris.

As Parks & Recreation continues its efforts to upgrade City parks and facilities, residents can expect improvements at the following sites: Rutherford Avenue Park, Eagle Tavern, and Wireworks.