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Residents press borough on fenced Memorial Park fields and public access
Summary
Residents said new fencing and locked gates at Memorial Park's turf fields have reduced public access that grant funding intended to preserve; the borough administrator said state funding and Green Acres rules apply and said the fields should be open by 8 a.m. and closed at dusk, while staff will open more gates.
Multiple residents raised access concerns about Memorial Park's new turf and fencing during the council's public-comment period. Dan Olivo said Rutherford received a $5,000,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' local recreation improvement program, including $3,000,000 for turf conversion, but that fields 5 and 6 are fenced, routinely locked and no longer available for informal local use.
"Either it wasn't part of the funded plan, which means our own tax dollars paid to lock us out of a public space, or it was never approved at all. And both answers kinda concern me," Olivo said, asking for a written borough policy on turf field access and a written reply by the next council meeting.
Lisa Olivo said fences have limited casual play, that kids have attempted to climb fences and risk injury, and that there are conflicting messages from the recreation department about whether the fields are open. "If it's too fragile for the public to use," she said of turf fields, "it doesn't seem like a good solution for our town."
Borough Administrator Bob responded that the turf conversion was funded through direct state appropriation and that Green Acres rules apply to parts of Memorial Field because prior Green Acres grants covered other park areas. He said the borough asked the state for fencing and received approval, but acknowledged that staff initially failed to open enough gates; he publicly stated the borough policy is to have those fields open by 8:00 a.m. and closed at dusk and that staff have been instructed to open more gates. Bob noted the overall investment exceeds $10,000,000 and described the need to balance public access with protecting expensive turf from damage.
Council members asked for written materials and follow-up. No change in funding or ordinance was approved at the meeting; the borough committed to provide clarifying written answers and to ensure gate-access procedures are followed.
