HIGHTSTOWN: Parks/rec commission sets its sights

By Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
   HIGHTSTOWN — Expanding the basketball courts at Dawes Park, hosting concerts at all four of the borough’s parks and creating a volunteer cleanup day are among the goals set by the Parks and Recreation Commission for 2009.
   The commission met Saturday to set both its short-term agenda for 2009 as well as its aspirations for the next several years. The commission outlined several ideas to improve the parks and increase community involvement.
   The commission discussed organizing a large volunteer day/barbecue in the spring to clean up the borough’s Greenway paths. Commission member Beverly Asselstine said the event could bring people together in the borough even in tough times.
   ”We need to create a sense of community that goes beyond all these other issues,” she said.
   The group also discussed encouraging the seniors at Meadow Lakes to use the community garden at Rocky Brook Park. Commission member Stacey Judge said Meadow Lakes does not have a garden of its own, and that the seniors who live there could grow vegetables for themselves and maybe donate anything extra to the local food bank.
   ”It would also help incorporate the residents there into the rest of the community,” she said.
   The commission members said they would seek grant money to expand the basketball courts at Dawes Park.
   ”I think we need to make it a point to research grants,” said Chairman Darek Hahn.
   They also said they would like to hold summer concerts — which are usually held only at Association Park — at each park, to showcase each of the parks to the public.
   Some of the long-term ideas discussed by the commission were enhancing playground equipment at Association Park, expanding Memorial Park and purchasing the former Planned Parenthood building near Dawes Park for use as a community building.
   ”We want to foster a sense of family,” Mr. Hahn said. “I really feel that’s what this commission should be focused on.”