Freehold Borough Youth Government to Improve Veteran's Park

The Freehold Borough Youth Government wants to make Veteran’s Park a more safe and fun place for people to enjoy the outdoors.

The presented the ideas for the project at the meeting on May 21. “Education and being healthy should be fun, so if we can make that happen at Veteran’s Park we will accomplish our goal,” said Emily Higgins, the Youth Borough Attorney.

The Youth Council is made up of thirteen students, grades 7-11, from , and St. John Vianney High School. The students meet weekly on Wednesday nights under the leadership of Councilman Simms.

The idea to focus their efforts on Veteran’s Park was born when Alyssa Gonzalez, a youth councilperson, brought a concern to her peers. “She told us she was afraid when her little sister went to play in Veteran’s Park because it’s not safe,” said Youth Mayor Braden Donnelly.

At the meeting, students presented a variety of ways to improve the park. The major items mentioned included First to repair existing park features including the cannon, the play area and the picnic shelter. They would also like to make the following improvements and additions;

• Identify the park entries
• Build a raised basketball court
• Create a nature trail
• Create an exercise trail
• Install solar powered path lighting
• Add tables and seating in the existing shelter
• Provide additional landscaping
• Improve the park drainage system
• Add more trash receptacles
• Build a designated wall for graffiti artists

In order to make these improvements, the group faces the challenge of finding funding. In addition to fundraisers, Councilman Simms has applied for a grant funded by Lowes Home Improvement

Along with Simms, Stephen Kiselick is assisting the group with planning and budgeting of their project. Kiselick explained to the council and audience that the group realizes this is a big project and they hope to complete the improvements in phases overtime.

Check out the map above to see some of the plans the Youth Government has come up with for the borough park.