New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers (NJSME)
Project of the Year Award
Honor Place
PROJECT HISTORY:
Upon becoming Mayor in 2014, the Honorable John G. Ducey has kept the commitment he made to the residents in improving the Township's ageing recreational facilities to meet the modern standards of today. In recent years Township Residents have witnessed improvements within the Lake Riviera, Brick Beach, Herbertsville, and the central area section of town. During this time, residents of the Parkway Pines portion of the township patiently awaited their turn to enjoy improved recreational facilities.
Located along Burnt Tavern Road in close proximity to the Garden State Parkway exists Bernard J. Cooke Park. The 6.5-acre facility basically consisted of a baseball/softball field, playground, asphalt basketball courts, tennis courts and parking. The facility had become run down with cracked asphalt, antiquated playground equipment, broken basketball hoops and more. The Township envisioned a new State of the Art Recreational Facility however decided to wait patiently for the Interchange 91 improvements of the Garden State Parkway to complete prior to constructing the same.
CLIENT REQUIREMENTS:
• DESIGN & CONSTRUCT MODERN RECREATION FACILITY FOR THE PARKWAY PINES SECTION OF THE TOWNSHIP
• PREPARE CONCEPT PLANS & COST ESTIMATE FOR MAYOR & COUNCIL
• ASSIST IN PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT
• BID PROJECT & PERFORM CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
• START CONSTRUCTION ONCE SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION OF NEIGHBORING GARDEN STATE PARKWAY INTERCHANGE 91 IS COMPLETE
• HAVE PARK COMPLETE AND READY TO OPEN IN THE SPRING OF 2019
UNIQUE OR UNUSUAL DESIGN FEATURES:
• IMPROVEMENTS DESIGNED TO BEST UTILIZE 6.5 ACRE FACILITY
• PURCHASED SEVERAL KEY ITEMS THROUGH STATE CONTRACT IN ORDER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STATE CONTRACT PRICING
• CONCRETE SKATE PARK DESIGNED IN CONJUNCTION WITH NATIONALLY POPULAR SKATE PARK DESIGNERS
• TRIKE PATH DESIGNED COMPLETE WITH ROAD SIGNS TO TEACH YOUNGSTERS THE RULES OF THE ROAD
• UTILIZATION OF LED LIGHTING WITH REMOTE DIMMING CONTROLS TO MAINTAIN SITE SAFETY WHILE SAVING ENERGY
• UTILITY AND MASS EARTHWORK ACCOMPLISHED DURING AUTUMN AND WINTER MONTHS DUE TO EXPEDITED CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
• THE NEW STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MEETS AND EXCEEDS CURRENT NJDEP STORMWATER MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS
• ALLOCATE SPACE FOR BUTTERFLY GARDEN TO BE PLANTED AND MAINTAINED BY LOCAL DAISY TROOP
• PREPARE A DESIGN THAT WILL EASE THE BURDEN ON TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
THE RESULT:
The new facility was completed on time and under budget and unveiled to the public at a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on May 23, 2019. Since it's opening the Mayor and Township Officials have received nothing but praise from all who use the new facilities. Through the efforts of Consulting Engineer Gregory R. Valesi, the Mayor has been able to keep his commitment of an improved recreational infrastructure to the residents of the Township as well as all who use the facilities.