COURT HOUSE – Middle Township Committee’s work session July 17 reviewed the status of plans for the reconstruction of the Avalon Manor Fishing Pier and the alternative plans for improvements to Rio Grande Park.
The fishing pier was a popular spot for locals until damage during Winter Storm Jonas led to its closing. The old pier was once part of the connecting road between Avalon and the mainland. Problems with the bulkhead following the storm led to serious safety concerns and the pier’s closing.
The township developed a conceptual design for the pier that would include repair of the bulkhead and rebuilding the pier as a longer ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant structure. The problem is funding.
Grants and Economic Development Coordinator Nancy Sittineri told the committee that the county was adamant that it would not fund the entire project. While county Open Space funds may be available for work on the pier, additional monies would need to be secured elsewhere. Efforts are underway to get a state Department of Community Affairs grant for $400,000 to help support the proposed project.
Business Administrator Elizabeth Terenik said the goal is to replace the old pier without significant additional expense to the municipal budget. The township already paid for the conceptual design work.
Rio Grande Park
The township continues to discuss the potential redevelopment of Rio Grande Park. The two-acre site is a neighborhood park in significant need of rejuvenation. The existing baseball field and the basketball court are in disrepair. Other space in the complex is underdeveloped.
The township has been asking the public for ideas on a project to remake the park. Three plans have been posted on the township’s website with public comment invited. Committee also held a work session in June in Rio Grande to discuss the issue with interested members of the public. About 25 residents turned out for that meeting.
The conceptual plans on the website grew directly out of the public comments at the Rio Grande meeting. The conceptual designs reviewed at the work session July 17 showed the influence of more recent public input.
As in the case of the fishing pier, the township will be seeking county Open Space funds for the park project. A solid plan with community support is critical to success in gaining the funding.
Conceptual plans call for the potential addition of tennis courts, pickleball areas, a gazebo and seating near a small child play area and a dog park. Soccer, shuffle board, bocce ball and basketball areas all compete for space in the different design concepts.
All of the design concepts include a response to public concerns about parking and security at the proposed complex.
As committee members reviewed design drawings, the goal remains developing a plan with broad support to submit to the county.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.
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