Details of Second Phase of Manahassett Creek Park Unveiled

Improvements could be coming to Long Branch's Manahassett Creek Park as early as this winter.

Engineering firm DW Smith Associates discussed the proposed improvements for the park, located at Manahassett Park Drive, during Tuesday night's council meeting.

The improvements, like the park itself, would be paid for through the use of green acres grant money.

Project Engineer Jason Burneyko said the project would cost about $540,000.

The highlight of the improvements would be 60-foot by 100-foot recreation building that would include a concession stand, according to Project Engineer Jason Burneyko.

The large structure will house picnic tables, and five service windows for the concession area. It will be open on its sides, so the picnic tables will be visible from the side of the structure.

The structure will also house a team room, storage room and restroom, Burneyko said.

Other improvements will include:

• A portable restroom enclosure near football field
• Installation and extensions to all three baseball field backstops
• Installation of netting system behind soccer goals to keep balls in play
• Installation of a concrete pad and bleachers for Pop Warner football field (The bleachers were previously purchased by the city and will not be part of the project when it goes out to bid)
• Installation of a concrete pad and bleachers at the turf baseball field
• A permanent outfield fence for the Little League baseball field with protective foam padding for player safety

The purpose of DW Smith's presentation of the plans was to not only unveil the improvements to the council, but to get their approval on them.

"The money is there, but they need consensus from the council for the plan," Long Branch Business Administrator Howard Woolley said.

The council unanimously gave DW Smith its approval to go forward with the project as it was presented on Tuesday.

Engineer Tim Lurie, who was also on hand from DW Smith, said a bid for the project could be awarded within the next three months and that work on the project could begin as early as the end of this year.

Lurie said the amount of work that could be done would depend on the weather.

"Assuming the weather is fine, it could take 4-5 months to complete the project," Lurie said.