Revitalization goes beyond beachfront and businesses

By carolyn o’connell
Staff Writer

LONG BRANCH — It is difficult to miss all the housing and business construction in the city. What might be less noticeable is an ongoing effort to improve and upgrade the city’s parks and recreation spaces.

Right now, various parks throughout the city are being worked on. Plans call for many other additions and upgrades in the near future.

Improvements to the toddler play area in Van Court Park will include moving the play equipment to the south end of the park and out of harm’s way.

The park, all of .92 acres, was created in the 1970s and is nestled between Fairfield and Overlook avenues on Van Court Avenue in the Elberon section of the city.

With Green Acres funding in place and a bid recently awarded to Precise Construction, Freehold, work is expected to begin in February.

According to Jacob L. Jones, director of community and economic development, the park’s toddler play area is slated to have its swing sets and various recreational apparatus replaced. Much of the current equipment is 10 to 15 years old..

Jones added, "The toddler lot will be moved to the south end of the park, clearing it from left field of the little league field to avoid any possibility of anyone being struck by a ball."

Precise bid the job at $76,190 which, Jones noted, does not include the $15,000 estimated to purchase the new equipment.

Both costs will be paid through Green Acres funding which was awarded to the city as a grant and a loan. The terms of the loan call for repayment in 20 years and an interest rate of 2 percent.

Jones said that, in addition to the work that will be done, he is hoping that the basketball court also will get some needed improvements. He said the courts need to be leveled and resurfaced and expects the work would cost from $5,000 to $8,000.

The parks upgrade is expected to be completed 30 to 45 days.

Next on the list for improvements is to replace and extend the boardwalk and repair the roadway and the boardwalk railing from North Bath Avenue to Brighton Avenue.

In the north end of town, Branchport Park is slated to receive an upgrade to the boat-launching area which will allow boaters to launch from dry ground. The safety fence along the bulkhead will be replaced with a galvanized chain link fence and a gate to allow access for fishermen.

Off Third Avenue, the Cherry Street Park will see some minor improvements. The Bucky James Center off Wilbur Ray Avenue will also see some improvements and may be converted in an indoor basketball arena.