New soccer field should
be completed by summer
SOUTH RIVER — Borough residents will have one more soccer field to play on come next year.
On Monday, representatives from Hazlet-based Matzel and Mumford and the borough gathered near Heritage Woods to break ground on the site of a new field.
Matzel and Mumford is constructing the field as part of a deal with the borough in return for the construction of Heritage Woods, a 26 single-family-home development.
"We are delighted to give something back to a town which has been supportive of our efforts to build quality housing in this community," said Roger Mumford, president of Matzel and Mumford.
The borough is hoping the field will alleviate some of the borough’s growing need for soccer facilities.
Borough residents have complained for some time that there is a need for soccer fields in the community.
Two weeks ago, residents and avid soccer players filled the library at South River High School in support of a proposal to put lights at Daley’s Pond Park, Prospect Street.
The engineering firm of CME Associates, Parlin, has been authorized to design specifications for lights and an irrigation system in the soccer area of the park.
Some residents who live near the park have come before the council protesting the proposal from the Portuguese Soccer Club to sod the field and have the borough construct lights for night play.
But avid soccer players who attended the council meeting two weeks ago said a lighted field would allow for longer play and would finally bring borough soccer players a good-sized field in town.
Borough Council President David Sliker said the construction of the new field is a huge win for the borough.
"Town athletic fields are in such short supply here that children in our youth sports programs are often sent to facilities in neighboring communities," said Sliker.
The proposed site, just off Whitehead Avenue near Bissetts Pond park, will include the expansion of an already approved parking lot just off Veterans Drive.
The company will construct a 31-space parking lot. Sliker said the borough will also look into constructing 30 additional parking spots.
Also included in the plans is the construction of three new fields.
In addition to the already approved soccer field, the borough is planning on two more fields on the estimated 4 to 8 acres which lie adjacent to the Department of Public Works lot.
The proposed fields will include a softball field and a multipurpose field.
The borough will have to contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval of those sites to see what types of environmental constraints they may face, since part of the land is directly on the waterfront. The soccer field and parking lot is expected to be complete and ready for play by next summer.

