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Wanaque council approves grant applications for Laurie Field fitness court and accessible bleachers
Summary
The Wanaque Mayor and Council unanimously approved two Passaic County Open Space grant applications on May 11, 2026: a $175,000 proposal for a permanent outdoor fitness court at Laurie Field and a $100,000 request for ADA-accessible bleachers at borough parks. The items will be submitted to the county for review.
The Borough of Wanaque Mayor and Council voted unanimously on May 11, 2026 to submit two applications to the Passaic County Open Space, Farmland & Historic Preservation Trust Fund: $175,000 for a permanent fitness court at Laurie Field and $100,000 for accessible bleachers at borough parks.
Borough Administrator Robert Hermansen introduced the projects during a public hearing and asked for details from a project representative. Paul Johannemann described the planned outdoor fitness court as "an outdoor fitness court that will have a push-up station, a sit-up bench, and other various equipment that is above the ground" and said it would sit on a matted surface. Councilman Edward Leonard said the design is practical for areas that flood because the equipment would not be damaged.
The council adopted Resolution #2026-145 (Laurie Field Fitness Court Installation Project) and Resolution #2026-146 (Accessible Bleacher Installation Project) on motions by Councilman Dominick Cortellessa, seconded by Councilman Thomas Balunis. A roll-call vote was unanimous in favor (Balunis, Cortellessa, Kronyak, Leonard, Pasquariello and Pettet). Mayor Daniel Mahler closed the public hearing on the open-space grants after no members of the public spoke against the applications.
If approved by the county, the fitness court and accessible bleachers would be installed at the borough sites named in the grant applications; the borough will proceed with application follow-up and any required documentation through Borough Administrator Robert Hermansen, who is authorized to act as the municipal correspondent under the adopted resolutions.
