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A new playground is being built on Asbury Park’s Second Avenue beach to replace one that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

Two separate units meant for different age groups will make up the entire playground area, which “is similar to what was there previously,” according to city engineer Joe Cunha.

One structure is meant for children aged two through five. It has decks that are no more than four feet high and contains smaller elements for kids to crawl, slide, and climb on, said Dave Guzman from Whirl Construction in Port Monmouth, who is the project’s foreman.

A second, larger structure for kids aged five and 12 will have decks up to eight feet high and “more challenging climbing events,” he said.

The structures are colored green and tan and will contain musical elements as part of the possible choice of activities. Renditions of traditional African percussion instruments like the udu, calabazo, ashiko and djembe are included in the playground’s plans and will be attached to the structures.

A fence will be put up around the area to allow children access to play without the need to purchase a beach pass, Cunha said.

FEMA money and funds from the city’s flood insurance plan paid for the project, he said. 

Construction workers broke ground on the project Monday and plan to finish within a full week.

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Photo at top: Construction workers Vincent Supinski [left] and Duanne Small [right] measure the depth of a hole dug for one of the playground’s footholds.

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