Cinnaminson To Apply For $709K Loan For Park Upgrades

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Cinnaminson is looking to make upgrades at East Riverton Park, and the township is pursuing a number of resources to help cover the costs.

Cinnaminson Township Committee unanimously approved a proposed resolution to apply for a $709,420 Green Acres loan from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) at a special meeting Monday night.

It’s a low-interest loan, and the state requires the application hearing to have its own dedicated meeting, officials said.

The township has already applied for a Local Recreation Improvement Grant from the state, according to Township Manager Eric Schubiger.

“If we get that, that will dictate what we need and what we take,” Schubiger said. “We’re trying to get as much funding as possible.”

The project is a big one, and it was outlined by Remington & Vernick Senior Engineering Technician Joseph Barbadoro at the meeting.

The park, which encompasses 3.5 acres of land, currently has a baseball field, two basketball courts, a tennis court and a playground.

The plan calls for a new multi-purpose turf field to be used for football and lacrosse, the addition of a picnic area with nine tables and an off-street parking lot that would accommodate 20 parking spaces.

The tennis court and baseball field would be eliminated, but Cinnaminson Committeeman Ryan Horner said the baseball field goes unused, even though youth organizations do obtain permits to use it if necessary.

Horner and Mayor Albert Segrest expressed concern about the need for more parking.

“For football, it’s mandated that at least one parent stays for the whole practice for each player,” Committeeman Ryan Horner said. “People could park on a side street. This is a much better option than what’s currently there.”

The introduction of a turf field will probably increase activity and lead to the need for more parking, officials said.

Committeeman Paul Conda asked about lights, which are not included in the current plan. What was presented is a preliminary site plan, and can be changed.

“It’s not a cheap thing to do,” Conda said of the lights.

“That’s why we’re applying to multiple sources,” Schubiger said. “Lights are something to consider.”

He said the ability to help groups get extra time on their fields needs to be balanced with what the community wants.

The picnic area does not include grills, but they can be added as well. The idea officials had was that residents could set up their own grills in the area, if desired.

“Residents love the park, and they want us to make improvements,” Schubiger said. There has been a lot of input. We tried to reach out to as many people as we can.”