Bellhaven is located on the Swimming River, at the western terminus of Locust Avenue. (Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
After several months of quiet, a controversial project originally proposed as a children’s “sprayground” returns to the Red Bank borough council Wednesday night.
What the plan calls for and might cost, however, is known only to a small circle of people. Mayor Pasquale Menna said Monday that even he had not gotten a peek at the revised proposal, which is slated to to be outlined at the council’s the regular bimonthly meeting.
Earlier this year, the council authorized the town’s engineering contractor, T&M Associates, to design improvements at Bellhaven Nature Area, at the Swimming River end of Locust Avenue, in conjunction with the parks and recreation committee.
The committee will present its findings during the workshop portion of the meeting, and no formal action is scheduled, according to the agenda.
Throughout its three-year life, the plan has sharply divided commentators. While environmentalists have softened their objections to the use of the area for recreation, the matter still splits residents who demand a play area for children, particularly those who must travel many blocks to find one, and those who say it will cost the town too much money.
“It’s raising some degree of concern,” Menna told redbankgreen on Monday. “I’m getting a lot of calls. Most of the callers are saying, ‘bring this to a conclusion, but be careful.'”
The council meets at 6:30 p.m. at borough hall, 90 Monmouth Street. Here’s the full agenda: RB Council Agenda 081314
