Abate Park to undergo more change
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

MILLSTONE - Modifications to Charles Abate Park will continue this year.

The park, which is located at the corner of Charleston Spring and Young Terrace roads, consists of approximately 25 acres. The township received the park as a dedicated piece of open space from the developer of the adjacent subdivision.

In April of last year, the Township Committee unanimously voted to pass an ordinance that allowed for the appropriation of $520,000 for improvements to the park. The improvements continue in phases, which have included paving the road into the park off Carriage Way and creating a 70-spot parking lot. The township has also created basketball and tennis courts at the park.

At its June 20 meeting, the Township Committee unanimously voted to apply for a Community Development Block Grant from Monmouth County for some of the funding it needs to construct a bathroom facility at the park that complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The grant is a matching grant, meaning that the township would have to agree to spending as much as allotted to it in the grant.

According to Township Engineer Matt Shafai, the bathroom is expected to cost between $100,000 and $150,000 and would be similar to the one the township recently installed at the Brandywine soccer fields.

The new bathroom would measure 12 feet by 24 feet, Shafai said, and be placed between the courts at Abate Park for easy accessibility.

The township also has plans to further improve the park by installing a tot lot and fitness stations, extending the walking path to measure one mile and placing fencing and additional berms around the recreational area.

Deputy Mayor Robert Kinsey said he believes that when the improvements are finished, the park will be a shining example of a pocket park.