Railing blocks any possible view of boats from park benches

My husband and I decided to visit Ken Buchanan Park, Sayreville, this past Sunday. Shamefully, it was our first visit since the renovations were completed.

I have lived in Sayreville for 60 years and remember the way the boat ramp was back then. What they have done with the renovations is very impressive, except for ... .

My husband and I walked up to the benches and settled for the perfect bench near the boat-launch ramps where we could see the boats going in and out of the water along with the boats passing by. Oh, this was the life - temperatures in the 70s, wind blowing our hair, just relaxing … until I looked up.

The first thought was that we were on "Candid Camera." I looked over at my husband and his chin was on his knees. You see, because of the big, thick, black railing along the top of the fence, unless you are an extremely small person, you are not going to see a thing.

As I started laughing hysterically, I looked around and noticed people were either sitting on beach chairs they brought or were standing at the rail. They were all looking at us with smiles on their faces as if to say, "Been there, done that." The only people who will benefit from the benches are people taking naps or reading a book.

As we were standing at the rail, a prominent businessman from South River, who I have known for 40 years, walked up to us to chat. I asked him to sit on the bench and tell us what he could see. He sat down and started laughing so hard his eyes were tearing.

What was the developer thinking? Didn't anybody put one bench or even a chair down to see how high the railing should be so you can see the boats or see anything, anything at all? Did they think the only people who would sit on those benches would be tiny? If there were regulations on how high the railing had to be, couldn't you make the benches lower? The benches are useless. Give me a break, Sayreville. What were you thinking?

So if you decide to go, check out these benches for yourself and get a good laugh. Come by and say hello. My husband and I will be the two people sitting on low beach chairs by the boat ramps.

Judith McLaughlin

Sayreville