Multi-Year Program to Bring Improvements to Aberdeen's Neighborhood Parks

Under a phased, multi-year program, Aberdeen’s 17 neighborhood parks will undergo a variety of enhancements starting this fall, with funding partially provided by a grant from the Monmouth County Open Space Grant program.

Sites scheduled for renovation beginning this fall are Deerfield Park and Andover Park in the Strathmore section, and Midland Park in Cliffwood.

The improvements for each of the parks include replacing the existing tot lot and swing set equipment, including installation of a new parent-child swing. Other improvements will include the additions of new ADA-compliant accessible paths, along with new benches, pavilions, picnic tables, bike racks and park identification signs. Each park will also undergo site restoration as necessary.

Among the first three projects, Midland Park will additionally see the replacement of the existing ballfield’s fence and backstop, as well as basketball court backboards. The Deerfield Park project will include reconstruction and enlargement of the existing basketball court, and Andover Park’s tot lot will get a new safety surface.

The total cost of this year’s improvements has been estimated at approximately $500,000, which is being partially funded through a recently awarded $150,000 Monmouth County Open Space Grant.

Looking ahead, pending receipt of a Community Development Block Grant from Monmouth County, Cliffwood Beach’s Overlook Park is expected to undergo renovation in 2018.

“The Neighborhood Park program will bring a variety of enhancements to one or more venues per year,” said Councilman Joseph Martucci, who serves on the Aberdeen Township Council’s capital budget committee along with Mayor Tagliarini and Deputy Mayor Margaret Montone. “In an effort to keep costs down for our taxpayers, we will apply for grants every year for this program.”