Exciting Upgrades Ahead: Manasquan's Winterstella Park to Get a Major Makeover!

MANASQUAN, NJ - The town of Manasquan is applying for a grant to improve Winterstella Park as part of the Monmouth County Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program. This initiative, under the County Commissioners and administered with assistance from the Monmouth County Park System, aims to enhance local parks.

At the recent Manasquan Council meeting, the governing body introduced resolution 193-2024 to submit a Park Improvement Grant application for Winterstella Park. After a public hearing, the governing body unanimously approved the grant. Prior to the presentation of the plan, Mayor Mangan started by clarifying to the public what the presentation was about, "What you will be seeing tonight is not final designs. They are concepts only for the grant. That process will begin in the future." This sentiment was echoed by project engineer Joe Raftery from Colliers Engineering firm, who added, “The concept designs are to show our intent to the County. Typically, in concept designs for a grant process, the plan scope, design, and costs can change based on local stakeholders' input.” To see the park presentation Link Here

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The Phase II Winterstella Park project aligns with the Borough’s initiative to upgrade its playgrounds, replacing old and outdated equipment, addressing issues, and making the playgrounds more ADA accessible. Winterstella Park was identified in the 2020 Sustainable Parks Plan as needing a complete upgrade of equipment and landscaping with ADA compliance. The current equipment is outdated and in need of repair, with no accessible ramp to the playground pieces and drainage issues causing "ponding" after rain events. This phased approach allows the Borough to continue existing projects through annual grant periods. Previous grants under Phase I replaced playground equipment for 2-5 year-olds.

The Phase II project scope, much larger than Phase 1, includes building a new play area for ages 5-12, installing four new benches, fencing around the play area, a tinted poured-in-place rubber playground surface, an ADA-accessible pathway to the play area, landscaping, and site drainage improvements. The estimated total project cost is $383,000 , covering playground equipment, rubber surface, chain link fence at an estimated cost of $155,000, clearing, constructing, storm management, landscaping at an estimated $200,000 , and a 15% contingency for project and engineering scope and construction. This project will not be sent out to bid until the outcome of the Monmouth County grant request is determined, likely by the end of 2024. The grant covers 50% of eligible construction costs, up to $500,000 against a total County program funding of $6 million. The Borough is applying for a grant of $191,500, matching 50%, totaling $383,000.

The average Monmouth County grant amount per town varies, but recent trends show an increase in the allocation to support comprehensive park improvement projects. Towns typically receive between $100,000 and $250,000, with larger projects occasionally receiving higher amounts based on the project's scope and community impact. Outlined by Mr Raftery “the grant request we have fits our sweet spot of $175,000 to $225,000, that shows we have a strong bid to average.” Mayor Mangan added, "The scope is projected to come in at that rough amount. It's where we've seen success in getting those amounts."

The County grant application will be submitted by July 11th. The project completion date is conservatively estimated for June 2026, assuming the grant execution by June 2025 or earleir, with bids going out by November 2025 and construction beginning in April 2026.

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