Long Branch officials discussed a proposed Monmouth County Open Space Grant application to replace the basketball court and playground at Van Court Park and add site amenities including bottle‑fill water stations, benches, fencing and improved surfacing.

Michael Reiser, a representative of CME Associates, told the council the overall project cost is $756,200 and that the Monmouth County Open Space Grant is limited to $500,000 per project. Because Long Branch is a designated urban aid community, county rules would allow funding up to 75% of eligible costs, Reiser said, leaving the city responsible for roughly $256,200 if the county awarded the maximum amount.

"The overall cost for this project is 700 $56,200. The Monmouth County Open Space Grant is limited to 500,000 per project," Michael Reiser said. "But since the city is a designated urban aid community, the county will fund up to 75% of the eligible project costs. So that leaves us the county would be, assuming we get a maximum award, we would get 500,000 and then the city would be funding the remaining 256,000."

Council members described the existing basketball court as hazardous, with plants growing through the cracks and an area under one rim where players have repeatedly twisted ankles. The grant proposal calls for full court replacement, new poles and nets, replacement of the playground equipment and the rubber safety surface beneath play structures, site power washing and some additional tree buffering.

Council discussion included details about water‑filling stations: officials said park units will be stainless and hard‑piped for durability and that the city will prioritize low‑maintenance designs with fewer moving parts. Council members also asked staff to consider dual‑use drinking stations that include a lower pet bowl; staff agreed to evaluate that option.

Reiser said the application will be submitted next week and that awards are typically announced in October. Council members noted that capital funding and budget timing (chapter 159/capital appropriation placement) mean the project is likely about a year away from construction even if the grant is awarded.

No formal vote to apply was recorded in the transcript excerpt; the public application requirement was observed by presenting the project in open session and taking questions about cost and elements of the proposal.