EAST BRUNSWICK — The Township Council has set aside an additional $25,000 for the planned Pine Ridge Park improvements.
During its Nov. 10 meeting, the council approved a resolution for further engineering work at the park, which is undergoing an extensive rehabilitation and face-lift. CMX Engineering of Manalapan is performing the work.
The park, at Daniel Place and Ainsworth Avenue, is slated to receive about $600,000 worth of improvements, including new playground equipment. The work will include renovating the existing tennis courts, providing accessible walkways, and installing new playground equipment and a picnic pavilion. Other improvements involve renovations to the ball field, and building an accessible circulation trail throughout the park for walking, jogging and for pushing baby carriages.
The project is expected to be complete in about two years.
Officials have met with residents of the Pine Ridge neighborhood, north of Edgeboro Road, to determine what they want at the improved park, which was built in the 1960s and received few upgrades over the years. Part of the township’s effort is to make the park compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but it is also to add modern equipment so that families can continue to make use of the park.
Councilman David Stahl said the township is moving forward, pending a decision on its state funding request. Funding for the park would come from a state grant and a low-interest state loan to make up the balance. The township would have to match 25 percent of the grant.
The township’s share of the money would come from the 2009 capital budget, as well as perhaps some federal money from a CommunityDevelopment Block Grant, which can be used for areas such as playgrounds that need to be brought into ADA compliance.
“We still need additional engineering now that the residents and administration agree on what [the park] should look like,” Stahl said.
Township Business Administrator James White said part of the problem with improving the park is dealing with its uneven topography. He said the land makes it difficult to engineer and design, and that is the reason why the additional $25,000 is needed.
Councilwoman Nancy Pinkin asked if there is an alternative to the expenses. White said there isn’t if the town wants to address the topography issue and related state regulations on storm-water management.
“Due to the two levels of topography, you need a retaining wall,” White said, adding that in order to install the wall in the correct manner this is “the most prudent course of action.”

