Residents help provide shade in Longport

Two Longport families have given new meaning to the phrase “throwing shade.”

The residents have stepped up to shelter children and their families from the hot summer sun at the community playground on 33rd Avenue. One family provided the funding needed to replace a gazebo and another family is funding the installation of a shade structure over the playground.

Following a monthslong project to replace the playground equipment, the borough opened the playground to children in April. The borough planned to have the playground completed in time for children to enjoy it last summer, but supply chain issues delayed delivery of the playground equipment. The playground was finally installed in November at a cost of about $381,558, but remained closed until the protective surface below could be installed.

“We had to close the playground for the pour-in-place surface. It could only be installed when the temperature is above 50 degrees for at least 72 hours, so it had to wait until spring,” Administrator A. Scott Porter said.

In the meantime, the borough received support from one of Longport’s most prominent citizens who offered to pay for a shade structure to keep kids cool.

According to Drew Katz, who grew up spending summers in Longport and still owns a summer home there, Mayor Nicholas Russo and Commissioner Jim Leeds approached Katz’ dad, philanthropist Lewis Katz, years ago about supporting the installation of a playground, which the elder Katz, now deceased, heartily agreed to support.

“He wanted to be supportive of Longport and have a safe and wonderful place for all the kids of the island, so he helped to support the playground,” Drew Katz said.

A few years after the elder Katz passed away, Drew Katz pledged to continue the legacy started by his father on behalf of the children of the borough.

“I think its extraordinary that Longport has such wonderful amenities right on the beach, and I said, yes, I’d be happy to support it, but I would really like you to create shade for families bringing their kids to the playground,” he said.

Porter said at Katz’s request, a sail-type shade structure was designed to cover a large portion of the playground and is on order to be delivered and installed within six to eight weeks.

The cost of the shade structure adds an additional $39,500 to the project, according to Chief Financial Officer Jenna Kelly. The Katz donation will fully cover the cost.

“I walk by that playground all the time and it makes me smile,” Drew Katz said. “I feel privileged to be part of such special community and be in a position to be helpful.”

Additionally, resident Jill Powell and her husband agreed to replace the aging gazebo in the park and sent the borough a $6,100 donation to cover the installation of a new gazebo.

“The gazebo was installed last week,” Porter said. “It’s exactly like the one that was there before. We are just waiting for some benches to be installed inside the gazebo.”

Parents and grandparents will soon be able to get out of the hot summer sun while they watch their children and grandchildren get some exercise and playtime on the brand new swings, monkey bars and spinners.