Red Bank seeks up to $500,000 from Monmouth County open-space grant for Count Basie Park renovation

At a public hearing, borough staff and Mike Reiser of CME presented a proposed renovation of Count Basie Park (11 Henry Street; Block 97.01, Lots 40 and 41) and said the borough is applying to the Monmouth County Open Space program for funding. Reiser gave an estimated total project cost of $2,000,000 and said the county program matches up to 50% of eligible project costs, capped at $500,000.

Reiser described the site as roughly 14.43 acres with multiple turf and grass fields, a track, bleachers, a playground and asphalt walking trails. The grant application scope includes reconstruction of basketball courts (new hoops, benches, restriping), replacement of fencing and backstops for baseball fields, reconstruction of turf fields, resurfacing the park walkway and installing exercise stations and decorative benches.

Residents raised safety and access concerns during the hearing: one commenter called the bleachers "disgusting" and cited exposed metal that could injure attendees; borough staff and the engineer said Green Acres funding has already been secured for full replacement of the bleachers and associated design and bidding work would follow. Staff also said fencing along the south border adjacent to car dealerships would be replaced with taller fencing to reduce balls leaving the fields, and that public-safety and gate-access questions would be discussed with Parks & Rec and the police chief.

Officials said awards for the Monmouth County program are typically announced in October. The borough will finalize application details and continue design work for funded elements while pursuing other funding sources for elements outside the county program's scope.