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County to consider location of second inclusive playground; board discusses park accessibility and ash-tree removal
Summary
County counsel said the board may enter executive session to discuss three matters, including siting a second inclusive playground at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds. Commissioners also discussed directing the budget committee to study ADA access improvements, removal of hazardous ash trees and potential municipal grants for park renovations.
County counsel Katrina Boyle told the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners on March 4, 2025, that the board may go into executive session to consider three matters, including the location of a planned second inclusive playground at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds.
Director Lanza told the board the budget committee is working on investments in county parks and open spaces and asked that the committee study potential Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access improvements, prioritize removal of dangerous ash trees and examine whether additional municipal grants could support ongoing renovation work.
The discussion in the public portion of the meeting did not record any formal motions or votes on the playground site, ADA upgrades or grant programs. County counsel’s statement about the executive-session topics and Director Lanza’s request were presented as items for further study: Boyle identified the playground location as one of three matters that could be discussed in executive session, and Lanza asked the budget committee to examine feasibility and funding options rather than directing an immediate policy change or expenditure.
The board did not provide specific funding amounts, timelines or a firm site selection in the transcript. The only implementation details recorded were that the playground is planned as a "second inclusive playground" and that the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds is under consideration as a potential location. The transcript also records a request that the budget committee identify ADA access improvements and prioritize removal of hazardous ash trees in county parks and open spaces.
County staff engagement on related planning work was mentioned: a speaker identified Eric Peterson as a primary staff contact on the matter. County Clerk Mary Melfi was noted as having participated in a recent public event referenced by the director, but that event was ceremonial and not part of the playground or budget discussion.
No formal actions, vote tallies, ordinance numbers or agenda-item motions on the playground, ADA improvements, ash-tree removals or municipal grants appear in the transcript excerpt. The board’s next steps, as recorded, were to refer these topics to the budget committee for further study and to consider executive-session discussion of site selection and related confidential matters.
