Change for South Amboy: State of City's Parks

The State of the City's Park

South Amboy's parks are in need of some serious TLC and repair. Several parks have equipment that is broken with jagged edges, a hazard to children who use them. In addition to broken equipment the playground areas pose major tripping hazards related to the now exposed material that was laid under the grass/ sand. The basketball courts around town have cracked surfaces and the nets on some of the hoops are not intact. In my opinion the worst park is Barkalow Street park where the retaining wall is failing, resulting in structural instability and a large open area that can cause serious injury to a person or child.

Currently the city is facing a deficit and park rehab may not be on the agenda or in the budget. This does not at all mean that the state of the parks should be as they are. They are a lawsuit waiting to happen.

As a community we can fix some of the problems ourselves, painting tables and benches, minor fence repair, and replacing basketball nets. As a community we can clean up the parks, remove the broken glass and ensure some measure of safety for our children.

I am a parent of a 7 year old. A few weeks ago my daughter went to the summer rec at the Pine Ave. Park. Her councilors were wonderful. One particular morning when we arrived the park was trashed. Her councilors rallied the kids and together they picked up the trash. There was a child not more than 3 feet away from me who was reaching down to pick up a water bottle. I stopped her from touching it-- it was filled with urine! On more than one occasion I have also seen used condoms and condom wrappers in the park near the benches, tables and play structures. Earlier this week a child who was playing at the park picked up a discarded used condom.

If you are interested in volunteering to help clean up and repair the parks please let me know. I will be bringing this up at the next council meeting. Aug. 19th!