Council to Hear Presentation on Next Step for Pleasureland

The Oakland Borough Council will hear a presentation next week on the possible next step in the development of the old Pleasureland property into a full fledged recreation area.

Mike Guadagnino, the recreation commission chair who’s taken the lead on the project along with the environmental commission, said the hope will be to form a committee to guide the process of improving the property purchased by the borough in 2010.

“We’re presenting to the council to form a committee and give us the ability to work within the town parameters,” Guadagnino said.

The proposal will be for a five-member committee to oversee the development of plans, along with a council liaison, though the mayor and council will have the final approval in all developments.

Guadagnino began meetings about the property in early 2012, and presented a preliminary plan to the council last December.

Turning the property into a functioning recreation area would be a two-step process. Phase one, he said, would entail a basic opening of the park by clearing trails and establishing access to parking and entrances, while phase two would be “bigger picture” items.

Some of the ideas floated are a skatepark, BMX area, dog park, and botanical garden, and Guadagnino said that the committee would “lead the direction” by establishing subcommittees to work on the different components.

“Each one will have to be worked on separately,” he said, adding that all the concepts are subject to council approval and, given the area’s environmental history, DEP clearance.

The council is not expected to vote on an approval of the committee’s formation at its meeting, and Guadagnino said the presentation is simply a first step in getting the work started.

“We can begin the process of rolling up our sleeves and getting the things needed to get the park open,” he said.

The 40-acre property has remained abandoned since a 1985 shooting at the site, and Guadagnino believes that though the specifics may be up for debate, there is general agreement on moving forward with improvements.

“There have been no politics involved,” he said. “Everyone’s been pushing in the same direction to see something happen with this property.”

The council will meet at 7:30 p.m. next Wednesday, June 12.