Highlands Will Improve Kavookjian Baseball Field

HIGHLANDS, NJ — The town of Highlands just received $272,500 in grant money from the county to make improvements to Kavookjian Field.

"Kavookjian Field is well-utilized, but outdated and in need of repair," said the town of Highlands in this report, released in June, on the baseball park. "The uneven walls and staircase near the bleachers pose a potential safety hazard."

What the town plans to do:

• Upgrade fencing and backstop
• Make site improvements to bleacher area
• Make retaining wall improvements
• Dugout upgrades
• Installation of new site amenities

Flooding has been a problem at Kavookjian Field for years. At some point, the town plans to construct an underground stormwater retention basin. This will capture stormwater runoff from surrounding hills.

The grant money was announced this week by the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners. Here are all 27 towns/projects in Monmouth County that got grant money from the county to make improvements:

Township of Aberdeen - Noble Place Recreation Building Improvement Project, $362,500.00

Borough of Atlantic Highlands - East Avenue Park Recreation Infrastructure Improvements, $350,000.00

Borough of Bradley Beach - Sylvan Lake Park Expansion, $500,000.00

Township of Colts Neck - Bucks Mill Park Facilities Improvement Project, $55,000.00

Borough of Eatontown - F. Bliss Price Arboretum & Wildlife Sanctuary Bridge, Replacement Phase II, $65,000.00

Borough of Freehold - Wilson Park Mini Pitch Project, $314,954.50

Borough of Highlands - Kavookjian Field Infrastructure Improvements, $272,500.00

Township of Hazlet - Leocadia Park Improvements Phase 1, $301,000.00

Township of Holmdel - Robert Labbe Memorial Park Renovation Project, $200,000.00

Township of Howell - Pride Park Improvements, $350,000.00

Borough of Keyport - Improvements to Cedar Street Park Ballfield, $500,000.00

Borough of Little Silver - Santelle Park Improvements – Phase 1, $387,000.00

City of Long Branch - Manahassett Creek Park Improvements, $500,000.00

Township of Manalapan - Manalapan Recreation Center Shelter Playground: Phase 2, $255,500.00

Borough of Manasquan - Stockton Beach Park Improvements, $500,000.00

Township of Marlboro - Improvements to Recreation Way Park, $255,000.00

Borough of Matawan - Gravelly Brook Park Improvements Project, $400,000.00

Township of Millstone - Improvements to Abate Park, $500,000.00

Borough of Monmouth Beach - Griffin Park/Tocci Ave Boat Ramp and Kayak Launch, $100,000.00

Township of Neptune - Improvements to Pittenger Park Playground, $292,500.00

Borough of Neptune City - Improvements to Memorial Park, Adams Field and Joe Freda Park, $500,000.00

Borough of Red Bank - Johnny Jazz Park Improvements Project, $192,250.00

Borough of Sea Girt - Improvements to Baltimore Park, $500,000.00

Borough of Spring Lake - Improvements to Marucci Park — Phase IV, $300,000.00

Township of Tinton Falls - Walz Park Improvements – Phase 2, $500,000.00

Township of Wall - Camp Evans Recreational Upgrades Phase III, $453,000.00

Borough of West Long Branch - Sorrentino Park Pickleball Courts and Soccer Field Irrigation System, $250,000.00