Park projects under way throughout Old Bridge
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

Old B

OLD BRIDGE — Improving parks has become a priority for township officials, with several projects completed and more in the works.

New fields and playgrounds as well as better lighting and facilities are all part of the plan to enhance the parks and their facilities.

“In all of our parks, we’re trying to upgrade and refurbish them,” Mayor Jim Phillips said.

Phillips said several years have passed since any improvements have been made, and it’s time for something to be done.

A change order was approved at the Dec. 11 Township Council meeting for additional funds needed to refurbish the building used for summer camp programs at Veterans Park. Due to unforeseen structural problems with the building, it was determined that the cost of refurbishment would be $77,000 more than the $212,000 original estimate. Township Business Administrator Michael Jacobs proposed the change order, with an additional $61,000 included in case of any further unforeseen costs.

At its meeting Dec. 4, the council was undecided about whether to continue refurbishing the building or rebuild it completely. Officials agreed to continue the rehabilitation, since much of the building is able to be salvaged, and it will allow for completion in time for the summer programs.

The original contract called for G&M Eastern Contracting Inc. to have the job completed within 90 days, but because of the issues with the building, work was halted in mid-October. Still, the building should be ready for the 2007 camp program, Phillips said.

Last month, an irrigation system was installed at Pension Road Park in an area where cricket is played. At lower Geick Park, a playground went up Tuesday morning, and another was just completed at Central Park.

A new playground will also be installed at the Knollcroft housing development. The project is part of an interlocal agreement between the Township Council and the Old Bridge Municipal Utilities Authority (OBMUA), which will do the site work, according to Lisa Cooney, assistant director of recreation. A retaining wall is a necessary part of the project, which should go out for bid this month and be awarded in January.

Officials are hoping to break ground in the spring on a municipal golf course near the intersection of Lambertson and Amboy roads. The land there, consisting of the old Lambertson and Smith farms, is Green Acres property. The Far Hills Capital Co. is seeking to develop the land in partnership with the township, providing approval is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and State House Commission for a 50-year lease.

Construction and operation of the 210-acre course will be financed by Far Hills Capital, and will include a clubhouse and driving range. There will be a three-tiered rate plan for golfers, according to Tom Badcock, director of recreation. Old Bridge residents will be charged half price, and all other New Jersey residents will receive a discount. Out-of-state golfers will pay full price.

Mannino Park, which township officials broke ground on in August, is in phase one of its development. It has recently seen completion of its entrance roadway. The road will connect to a parking lot, which will border a pentaplex of baseball fields. A concessions building with restroom facilities will be built at the site. Two of the fields are in the design stages and will be going out to bid in early February. Cooney said officials hope to break ground on the fields in the spring.

Other improvements at Veterans Park include the installation of new lighting on the basketball courts and Little League field as well as on the tennis and handball courts. The project will go out for bid in the next couple of weeks.

“Having [Phillips] as our mayor has been a big plus for us,” Cooney said. “He’s gotten a lot done for the town since he’s been here. He has a great relationship with the county, and he has been able to secure a lot more money from the county than we’ve ever gotten before.”

ridge