The Thomas E. May Memorial Park, located on Mount Pleasant Avenue just past the Browertown Road junction, is now open, after finishing touches were completed by the Department of Public Works (DPW).
The reconstructed playground and upcoming basketball court construction is being made possible through funding from a county open space grant, said Francie Joseph-Keating, recreation coordinator.
"We used the same company that did Zaccaria Park and Rose Place Park," she said. "The kids really love the playground equipment that was installed in those areas and the company we used for those projects really keeps on their installation schedules."
The cost for the Thomas May playground equipment was approximately $25,000 and was roughly the same amount for its installation, stemming from this county fund.
Plans for a basketball court located behind the playground are also in the works as well as an entranceway from the playground that will run through to a newly constructed Morris Canal walkway and bike path, according to Councilman Keith Kazmark.
"The playground had been completed but we are still in the process of working with a contractor who will be installing a new basketball court, which will be located behind the new playground, closer to Browertown Road," said Kazmark. "There is also new fencing that will be put around the area and this is the reason there is still some construction equipment visible on the side and behind the playground. The Morris Canal walkway project is a long range plan and it’s nice that we’ll have extra grant funds once the county money is used up."
An amount of $147,000 was also received by the borough from funding secured by Congressman Bill Pascrell, which will specifically go towards the beginning phase of the walkway, he said.
"Whatever money is left over from the county open space grant after the basketball construction is completed will be used towards funding the Morris Canal walkway and bike path, along with the other funding," he explained. "It will be years before that project is finished."
The projected Morris Canal walkway project will run from the playground through to the back of the American Legion and Nesser Lane. It will proceed to cross the roadway through Rose Place, behind the First Aid Squad building and will pass by the side of Brophy Lane. It will finally end at the borough’s municipal building.
During his recent stops at the new playground, Mayor Pat Lepore said he’s received a lot of positive feedback from the children and their families.
"The kids especially love the new rock climbing wall. All of the residents were excited about it and very happy," he said. "Once the landscaping is totally completed there’ll be more trees strategically planted for more shading. All in all, the park looks great and is a big improvement from the way it was before."
