Markham Fields to Get New Restrooms and Concession Stand

Little Silver Warriors may soon have a place to grab Gatorades and hot dogs when they come out to play near , as a new concession stand and restroom facility is set to be constructed adjacent to at 466 Prospect Avenue.

The project will provide a kitchen and concession stand to serve the athletic fields, along with picnic tables, two restrooms, and storage space for the recreation and police departments. It will also increase the amount of parking behind borough hall from 12 parking spaces to 37.

Borough Engineer Gregory Blash handed out schematics and spoke to council about the project during a workshop session at borough hall last week.

"The main thing we're trying to do is put in some bathrooms because there are none available to the rec fields here," said Blash.

Blash estimates the building will cost roughly $200,000 to construct. Factoring in the costs of demolishing the existing structures on the property and paving the new parking lot, the total price for the project is expected to be around $265,000.

Councilman Donald Galante said $230,000 in capital funds were appropriated for the project several years ago.

The project will be completed in three phases: knocking down the existing structure on the property, paving the new parking lot, then constructing the new building. Each phase would be bid out separately in early February and awarded in March, said Blash.

The existing building is expected to be vacated by current tenants in early March and knocked down shortly thereafter. Blash said the parking lot would take 30 days to construct after the buildings are demolished, then construction of the new structure could begin in late March when the weather breaks.

Blash said the bathrooms would be the first part of the building to be constructed, and that they could be completed in six weeks -- potentially available for use by baseball and softball players and fans as early as mid-May.

"I think the restrooms there are key, we've been missing those there for years," said Mayor Robert C. Neff, Jr.

The new structure will feature a design similar to borough hall, with a dual-gabled roof to provide extra storage space in the attic. Blash said it would be equipped with heat, but not air-conditioning, to save on utilities costs.

Galante asked Blash about plans for lighting the area. Blash responded that current plans do not account for lighting, as the park closes at dusk, but said low lighting could be installed which would not be a nuisance to nearby residents.

"I think if anything, along the north side of the building on the sidewalk we could always use the decorative Little Silver lamps at a lower height, 12-foot or something like that," suggested Councilman Jonathan Bitman.

Blash said the back of the building would "pretty much be right where that fence line is that separates the field from the lot now," and that the new parking lot will feature a cut through to existing one behind borough hall.