Youth recreational facilities will be revamped throughout Bordentown Township next year when Mayor Stephen Benowitz recently announced the township received a grant and purchased property to upgrade and establish new and existing grounds.
The township recently acquired the Dix Drive-In property on Route 206 and received funding from a Burlington County Open Space grant totaling $250,000. Municipal officials said the grant will be used to construct new recreational facilities and to upgrade existing recreational facilities. The facilities are or will be used for youth soccer, softball, baseball and field hockey.
Township officials met with representatives from several youth sports organizations regarding the upgrades that are needed to the township’s parks and recreational facilities.
“The Township Committee and I are excited about these new improvements and the support we receive from our volunteer youth sports programs,” Benowitz said. “We have made a concerted effort to let all of the organizations know the township appreciates all they do for our children and we make recreation a priority.”
According to township officials, the long-term plans are to build a youth soccer facility at the Dix Drive-In property, with five soccer fields and recreation amenities. Officials said the building of the fields will be phased and are hopeful two or three fields will be available by the end of 2019.
“We are happy to begin the process of bringing youth soccer back into the township. With over 600 registered kids in the league, at all ages, this represents a big part of our youth participation,” Benowitz said. “Bringing these games back into the township is something we have worked toward for a long time.”
In addition to the purchase of property for new facilities, the intended recreational amenities will include additional softball fields, new dugouts, benches and other features for current grounds like Joseph Lawrence Park as well. These upgrades are in addition to the new concession building, which officials said will be finished this year.
The new fields and facilities will allow for the youth sports organizations to expand and accommodate participants in the township’s growing softball organization, according to mayor.
A walking and bicycle path will also be added to the fields as well, which will allow safe accessibility for parents and children to the grounds.
At Northern Community Park, township officials are also working with Little League baseball and softball teams on a new batting cage, with the possibility of increasing and improving the current fields.
“Our Little League baseball and softball teams have had great success recently, and by improving and expanding our fields, we can proudly host tournaments and events to show off our township and our talented athletes,” Benowitz said.
Benowitz said officials also recognize the need for facilities for the growing field hockey program as new all-purpose fields will be added to current recreation fields to accommodate this use.
“Participation in this sport has more than doubled in the past several years and they need the proper facilities to practice and play,” Benowitz said.