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Friends of Everhart Park offer $88,000 gift to restore 1908 gazebo; borough requests documentation
Summary
Friends of Everhart Park proposed a privately funded restoration of the park’s 1908 gazebo in two phases at a total cost of $88,000; borough staff said the project is welcome but will need insurance certificates, hold-harmless agreements, erosion-control plans and a contractor critical path before work can begin.
A representative identifying himself as Dale, speaking for the Friends of Everhart Park, presented a private fundraising proposal to restore the park’s National Register structure gazebo built in 1908. He said the total restoration cost is $88,000, split into a near-term $48,000 phase (within 10% of the fundraising goal) and a later $40,000 phase to follow additional fundraising.
"Our goal is to do it privately so that we can hire exactly the contractor that we want because quality is going to be more important than anything else on this project," Dale said, describing his background as a retired restoration architect and emphasizing careful workmanship and potential discovery work when shingles are removed.
Parks staff and council members expressed support but listed standard pre-construction requirements: proof of contractor insurance, hold-harmless agreements, erosion-and-sediment controls if needed, inspection and permit coordination with building and housing, and a critical path schedule (start, inspections, finish) so the borough can plan for public access and safety during construction. Staff suggested the Friends group model the submission after the Marshall Square Park volunteer projects and bring photos and documentation back for a work session.
No formal borough action to accept the gift was recorded; staff said the presentation would be placed on a future work session agenda and emphasized that adequate documentation would be required before work begins.
Next steps: the Friends of Everhart Park will prepare a documentation package and a critical-path schedule and meet with staff (including building/housing and parks) before a work-session presentation.
