RED BANK – The borough is moving forward with plans to provide a play area for children living on the west side.
Despite controversy surrounding the proposed Belle Haven Park, the parks and recreation committee will seek bids for the design phase of the park on Locust Avenue.
It would be the only playground area for children in the area.
“Currently those kids don’t have anywhere to play,” said Schwabenbauer at the July 22 Borough Council meeting.
The park is expected to have the same passive playground equipment and picnic benches as Marine Park.
Schwabenbauer said the design could be presented to the community.
“We want to get [Belle Haven] to the point where we could put it in front of people and say, Do you like this?, Do you not like this, and Why?, said Schwabenbauer.
“When those come back we will look at a recommended design and prior to a vote we will have a public hearing so that everyone can see it and comment on it before it goes to a final vote,”
News that bids were being solicited for design of the park drew criticism from Councilwoman Cindy Burnham.
“There has been an outpouring of protest against Belhaven. I’m wondering why we’re continuing to go through with it,” said Burnham.
“It kills me that we have to keep putting money into this.”
According to Schwabenbauer, the bidding process has been delayed because permits have not been received from the Department of Environmental Protection, which is investigating whether the soil is contaminated.
According to Schwabenbauer, residents have complained about the idea of adding a water feature, which is an alternate version for the park.
“Some of the concerns I’ve heard voiced by residents is that their basements flood already and they don’t want to put a water feature. I totally agree with them,” said Schwabenbauer.
“I actually sent an email to someone near there who is very worried about it and put in writing for his benefit, ‘Over my dead body we’ll put in a water feature. I’ll resign before we put in a water feature.”