Jackson officials planning upgrades to Johnson Park
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

Mark Seda

JACKSON - The 30-year-old John F. Johnson Memorial Park on Kierych Drive is getting a major face-lift.

"We are having some long-overdue renovations at Johnson Park," Mayor Mark Seda said. "We are renovating the tennis courts, paving the outer road and we will be putting in three parking areas. In the back, we are removing the [old] small play park because it did not meet state regulations."

Seda said that area will be cleaned, seeded and have picnic tables installed.

"We will be going out for bids and will award a contract for new basketball courts," the mayor said. "[They will be located] right next to the tennis courts. On the opposite side we will have a small kiddie playground and parking area set up."

The mayor said fencing will be fixed and a jogging trail will be constructed around the park.

Township Council President Angelo Stallone said, "Johnson Park has been long neglected. There hasn't been much done over the years. It's something that needed to be done."

Stallone said Jackson received a grant to undertake the planned upgrades.

He said the park is used by people of all ages, including an over-35 men's softball league and teams that include men, women and children.

"Residents of all ages will benefit from these repairs," Stallone said.

Councilwoman Ann Updegrave said, "When I first got elected I went out and viewed all the area parks and I was shocked to see how neglected they were and how poor Johnson Park looked."

She said people have asked if Johnson Park could be made more suitable to walk in and enjoy, rather than just remain as a location for concerts. She said they wanted more activities to be available.

"So it is finally being addressed and I'm very happy to see that being done," said Updegrave.

Business Administrator William Santos said, "We got a $100,000 grant from the state for the tennis courts and the cost came in at a little under $100,000. With all of the fees included, it will cover the renovation.

"[The cost of the road is] estimated, with the energy surcharge, to be between $80,000 and $100,000," Santos said. "We were able to do that, although it wasn't originally in the budget, because the professional fees weren't in for the other projects [at the Pop Warner] Holman field and the Justice Complex, and [those fees were] almost half of what was originally estimated."

Santos said a lot of the savings is credited to Jackson's in-house engineer Dan Burke.

"He had a lot of plans, grading levels and infrastructure," said Santos. "So it really helped to reduce the costs significantly, and in turn we're using the money that was freed up to do the road improvements and the basketball improvements."

Santos said it is expected that the basketball courts will cost $140,000.

Stallone noted that Ocean County is working with Jackson to help with the paving.

Upcoming activities at Johnson Park include: concerts on July 11, Aug. 8 and Aug. 22; the Independence Day celebration on July 1 at 3 p.m. (fireworks at dusk); and Jackson Day on Sept. 8 at noon.