STRATHMERE — More than 100 community members gathered June 27 to take part in a fundraiser for the Strathmere Playground Initiative to upgrade Play Mart Park.
The Strathmere Improvement Association is hoping to raise $400,000 to replace what it calls a substandard facility.
The benefit was held at the home of Jim and Kim Worthington, where residents, friends and supporters came together to support the renewal of the playground at Webster Avenue and Bayview Drive.
According to the group, a team of volunteers has been working for more than two years to create a vision for the playground, which “is in dire need of repair and maintenance,” and to create a safe space suitable for children of all ages.
The SIA said the fundraiser reflected the “deep commitment Strathmere residents and visitors have long shown toward preserving the character and livability of this unique barrier island community.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Jim and Kim Worthington for opening their home and making this evening possible,” SIA President Colleen Jones said. “The outpouring of support we saw last night is a powerful reminder of how much this community cares about Strathmere’s future.”
SIA Vice President Sue Willard, who lives across the street from the playground, said it is very popular with families but badly in need of upgrades.
“It’s always packed, a very heavily used playground,” she said, noting it is located between two popular bayfront restaurants.
“If they have to wait in line, they go there. People down for the day, they go to the beach and finish up at the playground,” Willard said. “It’s wonderful to see, but it’s substandard.”
The group surveyed all 14 playgrounds in Upper Township, noting that it has a strong commitment to recreation, and entered the data into the National Program for Playground Safety at playgroundsafety.org.
The Strathmere park was awarded a grade of C for evident rust on equipment; the lack of a picnic table; inadequate seating; a surface that makes its way into the street, drains and neighboring properties; lack of shaded areas; and dead or neglected landscaping.
“Using that tool, we found that there were a lot of safety issues related to it,” Willard said.
Some of the township facilities rated an A grade but the majority were classified as B, according to a document provided by the SIA.
“The playgrounds are not great — Amanda’s Field is the best — many are very old and somewhat neglected by the community,” Willard said.
The township is currently undertaking a massive renovation of Amanda’s Field, including upgrading playing fields for all of the youth sports organizations.
The SIA started doing some fundraising a couple of years ago but is still a long way from its goal, Willard said. The group now is turning its focus to the next phase: working directly with Upper Township to move the playground renewal project forward. Township Committee has not allocated a budget for improvements but is supporting the SIA through the process.
“It’s just not a priority at this point,” Willard said.
“The SIA looks forward to continued collaboration with Upper Township officials to bring that vision to life and deliver the safe, vibrant play space that Strathmere’s children and visitors deserve,” the group stated in a news release.
Township Administrator Jimmy Van Zlike said officials are aware of the issues at Play Mart Park.
“We recognize the need to improve the playground in Strathmere, which faces similar update needs as several of our mainland playgrounds within the township. While the renovation and upgrading of our park facilities is definitely on our long-term radar, funding for next year is unlikely,” he said.
Committeeman Sam Palombo, who oversees the Department of Recreation, said they are in early discussions about helping fund the playground.
“We would hope that it would be privately funded and they are exploring that option,” he said.
The location of the park poses unique problems to securing funding. Its proximity to Strathmere Bay means there is a flood risk, Palombo said.
A review of the playground conducted by Rutgers University’s Office of Urban Extension and Engagement noted any replacement or remediation must consider salt spray, tidal changes, sea level rise and flooding events.
The park also is difficult to maintain because of the lack of space for a Department of Public Works crew, Palombo said.
Van Zlike said the scope of the project is outside the township’s budget.
“To secure the necessary funding assistance, a project of this scale would typically rely on a county Open Space grant,” he said, noting the township can utilize only one of the grants at a time.
Van Zlike said the township’s Open Space funding allocation is being used to undertake “ongoing priority projects” at the Amanda’s Field complex, including the skatepark, fitness court, softball complex and lighting upgrades.
“Because we are actively executing these commitments, we cannot leverage additional county funding for a new playground project at this moment,” he said.
Van Zlike said the administration appreciates the support and initiative of the SIA through the recent fundraiser and other efforts. “Community partnerships like theirs are invaluable, and we look forward to working with them as we evaluate future capital improvement planning cycles,” he said.
Those who wish to support the project are encouraged to visit strathmereimprovementassociation.org or email strathmereimprovement@gmail.com.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff