Linden council adopts $793,500 bond for park playgrounds after residents press for details

LINDEN — The Linden City Council on Tuesday adopted bond ordinance 69‑44, authorizing $793,500 for playground improvements at the park named in the ordinance. The measure passed on a roll call with one abstention and otherwise unanimous support after public questions about where prior park funds had been spent and when construction would begin.

The ordinance, as read into the record, authorizes $793,500 in appropriations and a city financing component of $193,325; Business Administrator Natisha Clark told the council the remainder is covered by a Green Acres matching grant. "For 69‑44, that's for the [park listed in the ordinance]; we received a Green Acres grant, for 75% of the matching grant of $590,000," Clark said during the discussion.

Why it matters: the package of bond ordinances the council approved this month funds several park and recreation projects across Linden and includes grant matches that reduce the city's direct share. Residents at the meeting pressed officials for clearer timelines, earlier project follow‑through and assurances the money would not be diverted.

Council members and staff described the project as a multi‑part effort: design, grant‑matching and, where applicable, public bids for construction. John Kayser, a resident who said he cares for a child with special needs, asked whether the project advertised last year had started and requested a timeline. "So what is the timeline then? ... When is it getting started?" he asked. Clark replied construction was expected in the "spring of 2026," adding the work was postponed while a special‑needs camp used the site.

Resident Ed Kaminski urged clearer tracking of previous park expenditures and cited an earlier $150,000 allocation for trash receptacles. "I just wanna make sure this almost $2,000,000 ... isn't another slush fund or money pit," he said. Council members responded that many park projects rely on outside grants and a multi‑year capital plan; Councilman Ralph Strano said the city voted to commission a comprehensive parks study and that grants require the city to move quickly when funding becomes available. "If we get a grant and we have to add a little money to it, it's — I think it's a good thing," Strano said.

City officials described the planned improvements for the park as construction of new, inclusive playground equipment, including features for children with special needs. Clark said the specific equipment and contractor selection will follow the city's procurement rules and, for improvements above bid thresholds, a public bidding process. City staff indicated the timeline from appropriation to shovel‑ready work includes design, procurement and scheduling around existing programs and camps.

Formal action: Bond ordinance 69‑44 was adopted by the council at the meeting (roll call recorded; one abstention). The ordinance language entered in the minutes authorized the appropriation and the issuance of bonds or notes to finance the city's share.

What comes next: City staff said they will proceed with procurement steps required by the bond appropriation and the Green Acres grant; a public bid process will be used where applicable and construction is expected to start after permitting and contractor selection, likely in spring 2026. Residents who spoke asked the council to provide clearer follow‑up reporting on how bond and grant funds are spent and scheduled.

Council members also noted other park bond ordinances approved the same night fund Memorial Park safety materials, playground improvements at other sites and various parks maintenance projects across the city; some of those measures were explicitly tied to specific outside grants and matching requirements.

The council adopted the ordinance during its regular public meeting; copies of the ordinance and grant documents will be on file in the city clerk's office.