By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP Friends, neighbors, and community members came out Nov. 1 to celebrate the life of Seth C. Hand at the dedication ceremony of a new park named in his memory.
The park, located at the end of Palmer Avenue, was named for the 17-year-old township resident who died in January 2003.
”Words cannot express how thankful we are,” said Seth’s father, Bordentown Township Police Lt. Norman Hand at the dedication ceremony.
Seth was described at the ceremony as an animal lover who “lived life to the fullest,” and overcame many odds until his death from a rare metabolic disorder called methylmalonic aciduria (MMA).
The ceremony was attended by Township Committee members, in addition to Seth’s family, friends and other community members who gathered at the entrance to the 1.2 acre parcel of land, which is nestled between Route 206 and Cemetery Lane.
The committee said that the park opening was made possible with Green Acres funds, and has been a few years in the making.
Mayor George Chidley and the committee presented a proclamation to Seth’s parents, Norman and Janet Hand.
”This is just a small token of our appreciation,” added Committeeman Bill Morelli, “a way that we could continue his life and memory here.”
He added that it was the township’s intent to establish a living memorial to Seth.
Seth was born in February 1986, and he was shortly thereafter diagnosed with MMA.
The disorder disables the body from processing certain proteins and fats properly, and because of that Seth spent a lot of time in hospitals for long-term care. Seth needed a restricted diet and feeding tubes. The illness also affected his hearing, and caused kidney problems, along with blindness and diabetes.
Lt. Hand thanked the committee and the family and friends who were seated in the two dozen chairs that were set up at the entrance of the park.
We were very honored and surprised when we found out that the park was going to be named after Seth, he said.
”I didn’t have the words then (when we first found out) and I don’t have them now I just want to thank everyone,” he continued. Committee members and residents walked around the asphalt sidewalks that looped into a giant circular pattern, while coffee and pastries were served in the wooden gazebo in the middle of the park.
The park’s design will be awarded at the New Jersey League of Municipalities Convention on Nov. 14 in Atlantic City. The design award will be presented by the New Jersey Society of Engineers.
The opening of the park had been delayed by wet weather and landscaping delays.
The park was the first open space parcel the township acquired back in 2002 for $51,000 from MHS Partnerships.
While strolling around the park’s walking paths, many visitors exchanged sympathetic words with Seth’s family.
Seth’s uncle said that because the park encourages people to walk their dogs there, Seth would be proud.
”Seth lived his life to the utmost, and he survived with an illness that doctors said should have taken his life many years before it actually did,” he said.
