Inserra Makes $15K Donation to Mahwah Park Project

The Winter’s Park Playground Committee is $15,000 closer to its goal of revamping the area surrounding Winter’s Pond, thanks to a donation from Inserra Supermarkets.

The Committee, a group of volunteers Mahwah moms, has been working on plans for the park for almost a year, and hosting various fundraising events throughout the township in an effort to bankroll the community project.

Tuesday morning, Larry Inserra met with Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet and Committee Chair Kim Bolan to hand over a $15K check, the largest donation the project has received so far.

“We got a mailer about the project, and my family loves that park,” Inserra, who has lived in Mahwah for the last 25 years, said. “The kids and I always went there when they were growing up.”

Inserra Supermarkets, which is headquartered in Mahwah, owns and operates 21 Shop Rites, including the location in Ramsey.

“Our goal is to give back to the communities we serve, and this was a great project to give to,” Inserra said.

For Bolan, who has been working to raise funds for the project through various events, having the support of the township’s business community, “is huge. Inserra is our first Platinum sponsor, and we appreciate that so much.”

The park’s redesign is a big project – the committee estimates removing the current playground equipment, purchasing new equipment, and installing the new designs will cost about $250K. Planned upgrades to the rest of the area, including a new, safer entrance and adding a walkway, will cost another $250K, organizers said.

Though the township is applying for grant money it hopes will help cover the costs, officials say the project will not be possible without community support.

“The businesses in our town are responsible for the success of a lot of charities in this community,” Laforet said. “It is really encouraging to see leaders in the corporate community stepping up to help make something that will be a part of Mahwah for a long time.”

"It's a legacy donation," he added. "It's crazy to think that this will be around for such a long time and will be a part of the lives of so many young people in Mahwah's future."

Committee members said they hope a feeling of generosity toward the project will continue through its Spring Swing fundraiser, happening Friday, April 26 at the Apple Ridge Country Club. The event will include dinner, an open bar, prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are still on sale, and are $100 per person, or $190 for two people.

“So far, residents have really put their arms around this project, and we hope that continues,” Bolan said. “We appreciate every single donation we get, no matter how big or how small. Every donation gets us that much closer to actually building the park.”

Individual tickets and corporate tables are available. You can buy tickets to the Spring Swing online at the Winter’s Park Playground Committee website.

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