MATAWAN Moving on to Gravelly Brook Park’s Phase Two improvements, the Borough Council passed a resolution to apply for a Monmouth County Open Space grant.
Composed of three improvement phases, the Gravelly Brook Park project currently is in Phase one, which started on May 17, according to Mayor Joseph Altomonte.
Phase one consists of: site clearing earthwork soil and erosion control, multipurpose baseball and soccer fields, field under drain system and outlets, field irrigation system, including water service, and demolition of outdated and dilapidated building, according to Altomonte.
Precise Construction Inc. is the company working on phase one of the park’s improvements. The company has 90 days to complete phase, excluding rain days, according to Altomonte.
Phase one was paid by using a $250,000 grant, according to Altomonte.
The council held a public hearing before approving the resolution authorizing the borough to apply for the grant to fund Phase two of the park’s improvements, on Aug. 15, during its monthly meeting at the Municipal Community Center.
According to Altomonte, the Phase Two improvements that are part of this application include: necessary site work to clear and prepare the site for the facilities outlined; a new 60 foot by 104 foot basketball court to replace the one that is currently unusable; a new 40 foot by 45 foot tot lot with new playground equipment; new lighting for the sports fields currently being upgraded as part of phase one that will significantly extend the usable hours and days that baseball, softball, soccer and other sports can utilize the fields; and new walkways that will improve safety and access to the new recreational facilities.
“This Phase Two funding is essential to the Borough’s multi-phased strategy to expand recreational opportunities at the park. With assistance through the County’s Open Space Grant Program, we can construct the elements of this project outlined above which will allow greater use of planned sports fields and facilities,” Altomonte said.
The borough expects Phase Two to start either at the end of the year or early next year, according to Altomonte.
“My platform when I ran for Mayor included fixing Gravelly Brook Park. The park was severely deteriorating, so it needed to be fixed and the response I received when speaking to the residents proved to me that the residents wanted the park to be fixed. The park had poor drainage, so when it rained, you couldn’t play on the field for about a week,” Altomonte said.
Before passing the resolution to apply for the Monmouth County Open Space grant, Washington Engine Company No. 1 President Doug Hrehowesik presented residents Danny DiCarlo and Kathy MacCutchoen with a proclamation for their efforts in raising and continuing to send packages filled with needed items to military personnel overseas.
For more information about the Gravelly Park Brook project visit www.matawanborough.com/matawan/.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
