We wanted to thank those of you who made it to today’s meeting. Your feedback was terrific!
For those of you who weren’t able to make it, we wanted to share our concept presentation with you. Jennifer Maier, the Director of Parks & Environmental Services opened the meeting explaining that this meeting was the first step in the “Public Hearing” process required by City Ordinance. The next meeting will be in City Hall on a week night. 30 days notice will be given and the meeting will be advertised as required by City Ordinance. Project Play will let you know when the meeting is as well!
We began our concept presentation discussing our mission which is to improve the playground equipment in Hoboken’s public parks, beginning with Church Square Park – our busiest. Our guiding principles are to replace the current equipment with safe, fun, and innovative equipment using environmentally sustainable materials.
Throughout this process we have been researching playgrounds. We have made site visits to new playgrounds throughout the County, New York City and various other locations; we have read studies about children and play, and we have polled parents and children. We found what you might expect: children of ALL ages like climbing, sliding, swinging, monkey bars, and role playing. It turns out that the little seats, steering wheels, and tables area a big favorite!
Based on this information, we asked several playground vendors to present us with CONCEPT drawings.
Our concept priorities are:
- ADA accessibility – Church Square Park is currently not ADA Accessible
- security – fencing and lighting
- aesthetics – we propose a natural color scheme
- community building – adding benches and picnic tables appealing not only to families, but also to singles and seniors
- environmental sustainability
We have attached the drawings that we brought to the park today. They include lots of slides, various climbing apparatus, monkey bars, swings and lots of places to play under the equipment. Please remember that these are merely concepts. We are sure the specific design will change, however we hope that our priorities align will your priorities and the City’s.
If new park equipment is something that is important to you, it is imperative that as many of you as possible attend the next Public Hearing at City Hall. There are citizens who attended the meeting today who do not want the equipment replaced, who do not want fencing, and who in fact, do not want playground equipment in Church Square Park at all. The only way that the City will know what you want is if you are there to let them know.
Thank you for your support!
Regina and Zabrina
PS – Here’s the Patch Article about the meeting! http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/public-input-at-project-play-hearing
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