Township to Update Parks with Grant Money

By mid-June, will have brand new bathrooms and a concession stand just in time for the summer season.

The township was awarded a $250,000 Municipal Park Development Program grant from the county freeholders for the project.

“We’re really excited,” said Deputy Mayor Don Brauckmann, who’s also the director of parks and recreation.

By the end of May or early June, the bathroom’s pieces will be delivered and put in place. The foundation is already set and Brauckmann said workers are finishing up the plumbing and electricity now.

And, Tuesday, the freeholders awarded yet another grant to the township—$185,000 for and parks improvements.

Wood Park        
The old building that stood at Wood Park is now torn down to make way for the new one. The building, pretty much just a metal shed, held just bathrooms and a small utility area that allowed access to electric and pipes.

The new building will feature full men’s and women’s bathrooms on one side and a concession stand, which can be used for a variety of activities, on the other side.

There will also be a storage area for lawnmowers, shovels and other items to maintain park upkeep, Brauckmann said.

“Wood Park is our Main Street,” he said. “I think it’s exciting.”

Memorial Park & Fountain Farms Park
On Tuesday, the township was awarded the second part of the Municipal Park Development Program, this time for $185,000 for improvements to Memorial and Fountain Farms.

The concrete storage structure in place currently at Memorial park will be refurbished. Cinder blocks will be fixed; there will be new windows and doors, a new roof and more.

There’s an office in that existing structure and Brauckmann said it could turn into a handicapped-accessible and family bathroom.

With the grant, the township is also exploring a pavilion at Memorial Park with a picnic area.

At Fountain Farms, the township wants to replace the old jungle gym there.

“It’s really sturdy, it’s just been vandalized and it’s really unsightly,” Brauckmann said.

They also want to make some improvements to the park’s lighting structures.

Using grant money for these projects, Brauckmann said, has freed up budget money for other capital improvements the township can make.

“We’ve been budgeting,” he said. “The fact that we’re getting it through grants—that’s found money. We can make all these improvements and additional improvements.”

Brauckmann said, even though it seems like the improvements to parks is a slow process, by government standards, it’s quick.

“We’re getting a lot done,” he said. “We know what the parks need, we’ve done our assessments. Now that we have money, it’s a matter of going through the process and making is happen. We’re trying to address the needs of the community as best we can.”