UPPER FREEHOLD: Tennis courts reopen for play

Tennis players can get back into the swing of things at Byron Johnson Park

by Jane Meggitt, Special Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD — Tennis buffs bemoaning the off-limits courts at Byron Johnson Park can get back into the swing of things after repairs — costing approximately $75,000 — made the two 11-year old-courts ready again for use.
   According to Township Administrator Dianne Kelly, the Township Committee recognized a need to upgrade the tennis courts back in 2011.
   The restoration of the courts was included in Upper Freehold Township Bond Ordinance 244-11, introduced on June 2, 2011 and adopted on July 7, 2011, after a public hearing.
   ”After much deliberation and site visits to other courts in the area, we eventually chose to restore the courts with a state of the art product known as premier court,” according to Ms. Kelly.
   She describes it as having a cushioned surface, along with being crack proof and relatively maintenance free.
   ”To really get in the spirit of the sport, we chose the same court colors as those used at the United States Open: royal blue on a bright green background,” she said.
   The contractor, American Tennis Courts Inc., of Baltimore, Maryland, signed on to the project in March of 2013.
   Ms. Kelly explained that the surface needs to be laid down during hot temperatures and the early spring temperatures were not cooperating with the township’s plan.
   Then the summer deluges started and that further delayed the application. It was just completed this past weekend and the courts are now ready for use, she said.
   In other Upper Freehold news, Dana Tyler, municipal clerk, announced that a bike drive to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton will be held on Monday, August 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mark Harbourt Soccer Fields, 542 Old York Road, Upper Freehold.
   She announced the drive during the July 11 Township Committee meeting.All bikes will be accepted, no matter the condition or size. According to information provided by Tyler, the Boys and Girls Club Bike Exchange is run by volunteer bike enthusiasts who refurnish and resell donated bikes to area residents at bargain prices.
   One hundred percent of the proceeds from the bike sales go to supporting after-school and career development programs for underprivileged kids in Trenton. For more information or to make arrangements to donate a bike, contact [email protected].