Improvements Planned for Veterans' Memorial Park

Members of the Westwood governing body heard about the revitalization project during the council meeting Tuesday night, which aims to improve the area.

Councilman Peter Grefrath outlined plans that Borough Planner Ed Snieckus worked on to enhance the park. The revitalization project includes four phases. The first phase put water into the park in preparation for plantings that will come later.

Grefrath said he wants to begin phase two of the project soon, especially since one resident has already purchased a memorial bench for Veterans' Park through the . Sixteen bench sites, some of which are memorial benches and some not, are part of the second portion of the project.

Other elements for phase two include construction layout, soil erosion control, clearing the site, creating more friendly pathway configurations, improving lighting and adding waste receptacles.

Grefrath said a 12-foot wide paver plaza will be installed around the bandstand during phase two as well, which he said would give "the bandstand a little definition." He said shrubs would also be added to the bandstand area, but would not interfere with sightlines for summer concerts.

Grefrath said he would have Snieckus create a large map for a full presentation to the governing body at a future meeting. He said he would also get in touch with the Westwood Heritage Society and the VFW and Westwood Veterans' Council to see if members had any comments about the plans.

The governing body hopes to pay for phase two of the project with $164,000 in leftover funds from an ordinance appropriating money for improvements. Because that money is already encumbered, Grefrath said, "There will not be any money coming from the taxpayers as a new bond or new funding."

Phase three of the revitalization project will beautify the areas around the memorials in Veterans' Park, Grefrath said, which includes a cohesive plan for shrubbery and plantings around each. He said there might also be ornamental tree groupings around the perimeter of the park to make passing cars less visible. The VFW and Westwood Veterans' Council will have a say in the changes, Grefrath added.

Phase four will continue site improvements, including the sidewalks and curbs. Grefrath said pathways that lead to nowhere would be eliminated and suggested a perennial garden could be installed near the 9/11 memorial in the park.

Council President Robert Miller asked how much phases three and four would cost and where funding would come from. Grefrath said that while he didn't know the exact cost, he believed phase two would be the most expensive since it includes the lighting and 12-foot paver plaza. He said he would have an answer on the cost at the next council meeting. He added that he was unsure where the money to pay for the last phases would come from.

Councilwoman Cynthia Waneck said she believes the project is important. "I think that Veteranas' Park is a key element to our borough and that we should continue to move forward to revitalize it," she said.

Councilman John J. Sciara thanked Grefrath for his work and said he believed the borough should continue to pursue grant opportunities to help pay for the project.

The next Westwood council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 2.