Brick Seeks Green Acres Funding For Renovations At 3 Parks

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township officials have applied for $2.1 million in Green Acres funding to assist with the costs of renovations at three township parks, according to information released by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Renovations at Hank Waltonowski Park in the Birchwood Park neighborhood; Bernard J. Cooke Park at Herborn Avenue and Burnt Tavern Road; and at Bayside Park on Route 35 South are included in a list of projects submitted across the state for funding in 2019.

Green Acres hearings on the plan to request funding were held in 2017; this is a supplemental request, according to the DEP.

Hank Waltonowski Park was reopened for use in late 2017, but is still listed as under renovation on the township's website. The improvements include a multipurpose softball field; 2 basketball courts; playground equipment and safety surfacing; shade structure; restroom/concessions building renovation; walkways; lighting; utilities; fencing; irrigation; security improvements; landscaping; stormwater management; and site furnishings (picnic tables, benches, bike rack).

The groundbreaking on work at Bernard J. Cooke Park was held in August 2018 and work continues at the site. That park is proposed to include a multi-purpose softball field; basketball court; playground equipment and safety surfacing; shade structure; skate park; little tikes bike course; driveway and parking lot improvements; walkways; lighting; utilities; irrigation; security improvements; landscaping; stormwater management; and paver patio.

Bayside Park, on Route 35 South in the Normandy Beach section, has languished since Superstorm Sandy. The park was in need of repairs prior to the destruction wreaked by Sandy — in August 2012 the Township Council had approved seeking bids for the work, which was to include bulkhead repairs and new playground equipment — but that work was postponed in the face of urgent repairs needed following the storm.

Plans there include new playground equipment and safety surfacing; 2 shade structures; boardwalk decking and paver patio area; fish bait cleaning station; walkways; lighting; utilities; irrigation; security improvements; landscaping; and site furnishings (picnic tables, benches, bike rack).

The entire cost of the work at the three parks is $4,136,715, according to the information Brick officials filed with the DEP.

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