Potts Park project is part of Princeton effort to upgrade parks
By: Nick Norlen
With help from county grant money, Princeton Borough’s Potts Park will soon be in tip-top shape.
Princeton Recreation Department Executive Director Jack Roberts appeared before Borough Council May 22 to discuss improvements to Potts Park, which are part of an overall effort to upgrade the Princeton’s playground equipment.
Potts Park is located on Erdman Avenue, south of Princeton Shopping Center and Franklin Avenue and north of Hamilton Avenue.
Mr. Roberts said Friday that he expects the renovation at Potts Park, which will include new playground equipment and the resurfacing of the basketball court, to be completed before the end of the summer.
The improvements have been a long time coming, he said.
"There has been an ongoing process, probably over the last 20 years, to upgrade and codify good rules and regulations for the way in which playground equipment is maintained, the way in which it is installed, and the way in which it is designed," he said. "This is the ultimate culmination of that whole process."
To accomplish its goal of overall park improvement, the Princeton Parks Alliance sought the help of Mercer County’s Mercer At Play program, initiated by County Executive Brian Hughes to combat childhood obesity.
"They are looking to increase all the active recreation areas and improve them in Mercer County," Mr. Roberts said. "This sort of fell into that profile."
The grant will cover the bulk of the renovation costs approximately $62,500 in all with the borough covering approximately $14,000, Mr. Roberts said.
According to Mr. Roberts, part of the renovation process includes becoming compliant with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.
Furthermore, he said it was announced approximately 10 years ago that grandfather clauses associated with old playground equipment will become ineffective Oct. 1.
With the exception of Potts and Harrison Street parks, the rest of the recreation parks in the department’s jurisdiction are in compliance, he said four of them are new, and new equipment was recently installed at Hilltop Park and Grover Park.
He said there has been an ongoing discussion on Borough Council for Harrison Street Park "to be totally reorganized and renovated in many different ways."
At Tuesday’s meeting, Borough Administrator Bob Bruschi said he was glad that the equipment upgrades were mandated.
"I actually like the idea that we’re getting told that we need to get rid of the equipment," he said. "Our parks do need to be updated. They need to be freshened up."
And Potts Park is definitely worthy of an upgrade, he said.
"It’s heavily used. It’s in a highly residential area," he said. "I think it’s a no-brainer."
Mr. Roberts said the department plans to schedule a meeting with neighbors of the park during the summer to consult with them about the colors of the equipment.
During Tuesday’s discussion, Councilman Roger Martindell urged Mr. Roberts to find a contractor specifically certified to install playground equipment.
Mr. Roberts said that that is definitely the plan.
"This is not the place to save money," he said, noting extra caution should be used when dealing with children’s welfare.
In addition, a certified installer will make the renovation happen more quickly, Mr. Roberts said.
He said he would be surprised if the park has to be closed for more than three days during the installation.