Borough park dedicated to late councilman
BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer

PHOTOSBYSCOTT PILLING staff Above: Sayreville Borough Council President Thomas Pollando (r) presents a plaque to the Buchanan family at the dedication of Ken Buchanan Riverfront Park Sept. 22. At right: A view of the Raritan River from the park, dedicated to Ken Buchanan, who after serving World War II held local offices including borough councilman for 18 years.

SAYREVILLE - The borough's waterfront park on River Road is officially dedicated as Ken Buchanan Park.

Residents and borough officials gathered for the park's new opening Sept. 22, marking a special occasion for the family of the late Sayreville official.

Ken Buchanan was a veteran of World War II and was one of the people responsible for getting the boat launch established at the River Road park during his 18-year tenure on the Borough Council. He was also involved in securing a grant to build Kennedy Memorial Park and other recreational projects.

"My grandfather was born in Sayreville," said current Councilman Daniel Buchanan.

Ken was the son of a longtime borough councilman. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he worked for Hercules Inc. for 39 years, served on the Sayreville Board of Education for two years, and was a councilman for 18 years, 15 of which were as liaison to parks and recreation.

The park now has a sign up that reads "Ken Buch-anan Riverfront Park." The council voted to name the refurbished boat launch area and adjacent recreational facility after Buchanan in March.

"Personally, I feel a sense of closure," Daniel Buchanan said. "Back in 1992, [former Mayor John] McCormack requested that the park be named after my grandfather. I am grateful for all of the work of the council, the borough employees and everyone involved in the day. I am [also] grateful that the issue has been resolved and the park is formally known as Ken Buchanan Park."

Borough Business Administrator Jeff Bertrand told the Suburban that work on the floating docks is now complete, and the historical society is currently working on the wording for the plaques that will go along the park's walkway recognizing the Sayre & Fisher Co., which ran a historically significant brick-making company on the property.

Longtime borough resident Mickey Sedlak, who retired after heading the recreation department for 56 years, was in attendance at the ceremony.

"It was just a great, beautiful day," Sedlak said.

Sedlak shared memories of Ken Buchanan, including when Buchanan and Herb Price coached the championship Little League team in 1961 and when Sedlak and Buchanan worked together on the Little League building.

"In the early '50s, we were in Presidents Park working at the Little League field, putting the roof on the building, when a rainstorm came in like a baby tornado. It started ripping the shingles off the building, so we went to hide in the dugout, and then when it went away, we finished the work," Sedlak recalled.

He said Ken Buchanan was instrumental in seeing the completion of numerous projects in the borough.

"Kenny was an excellent councilman and he always treated me with respect and dignity. He was for the people and he wanted to get things done."