Bridgeport Community Fund says $50,000 secured but playground still faces roughly $300,000 shortfall; council approves CDBG application

Randy Bennett, representing the Bridgeport Community Fund, told Borough Council on March 25 that the fund has secured a $50,000 reimbursement grant toward playground work but said the playground alone represents “a $300,000 problem.” Bennett and multiple residents urged faster repairs and clearer communication about timing and responsibilities.

The playground’s condition and long-term park needs were the focus of the community fund presentation and an extended public-comment period that followed. Bennett said the fund had applied to the state Local Share Account (LSA) — casino revenue distributed through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) — for roughly $546,000 but had not received a decision. He said the $50,000 grant is secured but not yet in hand and is reimbursement-based.

Why it matters: Bridgeport Park is heavily used year-round, particularly the walking track, and residents said damage, vandalism and safety concerns reduce its usefulness. Council members and residents emphasized that visible, early repairs could build public confidence while longer-term funding is secured.

Bennett outlined other park needs beyond the playground, including tree replanting, signage and bleacher repairs, and maintenance on the walking track, which he called the park’s most-used amenity. He also described ongoing work to restore a downstairs museum space and noted donations earmarked for that project.

Residents described repeated vandalism and littering and asked for better protection of park property after repairs. Marianna Sters (440 Bush Street) said the park needed “a better way to protect the property,” citing vandalism and adults and dogs entering playground areas. Chief Barreta confirmed upgrades to park surveillance and replied that the borough’s system now includes 12 cameras that can be accessed remotely by borough departments.

Several commenters recommended making small, visible repairs first to show progress. Karen Brooks (708 Beach Court) suggested replacing swings as a relatively low-cost, visible improvement; Bennett said hardware that resists vandalism quickly becomes expensive, and estimated prior tangle-free swing hardware at about $5,000. A borough official offered to get detailed pricing and said park staff would review safety before accepting donated equipment.

Speakers also discussed the structure of park ownership and operations. Council members explained the relationship among the borough, the Bridgeport Community Fund (which owns much of the park land), and tenant organizations such as Bridgeport Little League, bocce, and Upper Merion School District. Council liaison Megan Nolan said an operating agreement between the borough and the fund clarifies who does what and who pays for what.

Bennett and others stressed limits on the fund’s ability to apply for certain grants and the advantage of having the municipality apply for government grants. Bennett described recent turnover on the fund’s board after the treasurer resigned and said the fund is actively seeking a treasurer with accounting experience and, ideally, grant-writing capacity.

Other park items mentioned during discussion: planned resurfacing of the Ninth and Grove Street parking lot as part of a borough paving project; Grove Street Pavilion lighting and improved electrical service; and ongoing maintenance responsibilities shared among tenants, the borough and the school district.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve council minutes from the Feb. 25, 2025 meeting — approved (motion: Mr. Schenck; second: Miss Noland). All council members present voted Aye. - Resolution 22,507: authorizing application to the Montgomery County Community Development Block Grant Program (borough-wide tree improvements; $200,000 request, statutory cap noted) — approved (motion: Council member Houck; second: Council member Noland). All council members present voted Aye. - Authorization to advertise a public works job vacancy — approved (mover/second not specified on the record). All council members present voted Aye. - Accept resignation of Mary Jo Dickinson from the Bridgeport Pension Committee and advertise vacancy — approved (motion from Ms. Noland; second from Ms. Howe). All council members present voted Aye. - Authorization to pay bills and salaries for March 2025 — approved (motion from Mr. Shank; second from Mr. Heil). All council members present voted Aye.

What remained unresolved: The LSA application decision date was not set; Bennett and others said they expected notification by late summer but the DCED had not provided a firm timetable. The $50,000 grant is reimbursement-based and not yet in hand. The playground’s total funding gap estimate and specific design or procurement decisions were not finalized at the meeting.

Background: The Bridgeport Community Fund operates as a private nonprofit that owns much of the parkland; the borough owns other portions. The fund and borough have an operating agreement that delineates responsibilities and allows the borough to apply for some government grants on the fund’s behalf.

Council and borough staff said they would continue coordinating with the fund, the school district, and tenant groups to prioritize safety work, pursue grants, and post volunteer and board-vacancy opportunities.

The council meeting concluded with routine business and no formal vote tied to a specific park construction contract. The community fund said it aims to have museum work completed by June 1 and wants a new treasurer in place by the fund’s tax-filing date, May 15.