Action Center
Wednesday June 25, 2008
Boro Pursues Open Space Funds for Zaccaria Park
At its June 18 meeting, the Borough Council approved appling for a $1 million Zaccaria Park improvement grant from the Passaic County Open Space Trust Fund.
At the session, Kazmark noted that West Paterson has proven proficient at getting preserved space money. He said last year alone, the borough received $450,000 for continuing the Dowling Botanical Gardens project and launching the Morris Canal park initiative.
In a follow-up interview, Kazmark said the $1 million endowment would enable park pavilion and parking lot upgrades. He said a third building is wanted for recreational programs, such as summer camp. He said a modernized parking lot is needed, since the current one “presents a safety hazard.”
The councilman said the results of the grant application should be known before the end of the year.
During public comment, a few residents aired concerns about refurbishment plans. Sanjay Desai of West Paterson said he wants to see park illumination.
“Are we going to have lights on at night? I’d love to see soccer played at night. The park should always be open in the evening for games.”
Mayor Pat Lepore said lighting the sports grounds would not be a practical move.
“As it is right now, we have very limited play because of the condition on that field. As much as I would like to have the field open for more use, the fact of the matter is, it can’t take more use.”
Kazmark mirrored that.
“Until we solve the issues with field use and field maintenance, it is premature to discuss field lighting, because lighting will only increase use.”
Lepore also said attracting nocturnal visitors heightens the chance of accidents. He said one worry would be a child running off into the dark.
“We can’t light the whole park. Safety is always first and foremost on my mind.”
Councilman Dominick Di Domenico said a child, in light of reduced visibility, can easily fall into the park’s Henderson Pond.
Tina Davis of West Paterson voiced disapproval of a planned walkway between Zaccaria Park and her neighborhood.
“I still do not agree with the access to Casson Lane. I still think you are not going to anticipate the traffic flow that’s going to happen there. I think putting a footpath on Casson Lane is going to invite access to the park after dark.”
Domenica Vapore of West Paterson felt park access would not be “conducive” to her neighborhood’s quality of life. She said the link would bring visitors walking right by her residence.
Lepore said the governing body would consult with citizens living in the vicinity before taking any action.
“The residents have become true partners in anything we have done. Before we lay one plank of wood, there will be a meeting with the Casson Lane residents, and we will get a sense of what the residents want,” he said.
Kazmark said the entire restoration endeavor will not happen overnight. Cost alone makes the undertaking a multi-year process.
“The park is going to cost a few million dollars to bring it to what you see here tonight,” he said, referring to a Zaccaria Park diagram on display.
The councilman said the funding strategy, besides open space grants, includes “opening up a dialogue” with potential corporate donors. He said the intended approach is using grants and donations to avoid burdening local taxpayers.
Meanwhile, the municipality is already proceeding with some park work. Kazmark said the town is using part of $2.2 million capital improvement ordinance, passed at that night’s meeting. Kazmark said the enactment will bring soccer field reseeding, with irrigation system. He added further headway on those goals is anticipated by early fall, pending bidding formalities.
Reprinted with permission. (c)2008 Passaic Valley Today (Passaic Co., NJ) Tom Boud
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