Park upgrades slated for two township sites

By Stephanie Prokop Staff Writer
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP—The township wants to make improvements to two recreational areas, Northern Community Park on Groveville Road between Route 130 and 206, and Seth C. Hand Park on Palmer Avenue.
   Seth C. Hand Park could be ready for use as early as this fall, while Northern Community Park would be ready for next summer, said Mayor George Chidley this week.
   The Township Committee on Aug. 13 approved a 20-year loan from the state Department of Environmental Protection for up to $742,000 to get the Northern Park ready for opening.
   Mayor Chidley said the township would consider another loan if the one from the DEP is not enough.
   Northern Community Park renovations will include dredging its pond, which Mayor Chidley said will be the most expensive part of the project.
   ”Over time the pond has filled with sediment, and we will have the fish . . . removed by the DEP, then the pond will be dredged and we will dispose of the soil,” he said. The fish will later be returned to the pond, he said. The pond is stocked for a July 4 fishing tournament each year.
   Other upgrades include installation of new lighting and replacing fences around the tennis courts.
   ”Plans are currently being discussed and we hope to put the project out for bid by November or December, so that by next summer everything is ready to be used,” said Mayor Chidley.
   The usable part of Northern Community Park is around 7 acres, while the rest of the park is made up of trees and not accessible for recreation. In total, the park is around 90 acres.
   ”We’re looking forward to getting the Northern Community Park developed, because a lot of community ball teams would then be able to use the park,” said Mayor Chidley.
   He added that there is also discussion about adding a walking path to Jersey Avenue, which would connect the township to Groveville.
   The other park on the agenda is roughly 1.2 acres. The Township Committee allocated slightly less than $150,000 to develop the park. The lot, between Cemetery Lane and Route 130, was the first open space parcel the township acquired back in 2002 for $51,000 from MHS Partnerships. The township paid 25 percent of the total price, or $12,750, with the rest of the funds coming from county and state agencies.
   The memorial park will be named after the deceased son of Lt. Norman Hand, of the Bordentown Township Police Department.
   The park would be able to be used for “simple low-impact walking,” said Mayor Chidley, and will feature a few walking paths and a gazebo.
   A dedication ceremony is scheduled for the end of September, or early October.