News

Residents Form Foundation to Improve Fields

By Tracy Ness

THE CHATHAMS — Recreation has been a hot button topic in the Chathams of late and interest only seems to be growing. So much so that a group of residents concerned about the deteriorating condition of playing fields in the towns spent six months forming a foundation to do something about it. The Chatham Athletic Foundation (CAF) hopes residents of the Chathams will endorse their campaign to raise private funds to help rehabilitate the aging and worn down playing fields located in both the Township and the Borough. “We realize that is a burden for the community to fund improvements for athletics solely through tax dollars,” said President Thomas Winter. “Over the past ten years, the condition of the fields has worsened to the point where some are bordering on disgraceful. We hope that parents whose children play on those fields will join us in making them better.”

The CAF would like to follow in the successful footsteps of organizations like the Chatham Education Foundation, who raise private funds to provide supplemental learning opportunities that the school budget cannot fund; or the Athletic Boosters Club at the High School who raise funds to purchase equipment, fund transportation to sporting events and have even provided money to remodel the bathrooms at Cougar Field. The same goes for the Music Boosters who purchased chairs for the band room, fund field trips and the purchase of new instruments through parent donations. The Foundation’s efforts will focus on athletics for the kindergarten through eighth grade group and their primary mission is to increase the playing capacity of the fields and enhance the athletic experience for all children. The CAF currently has a board of twelve trustees and has filed with the IRS for tax-exempt status.

Mr. Winter said that the Foundations first course of action will be to review the condition of the fields and develop a list of projects based on the most need and broadest impact. They’ll do so with the help of a project advisory board whose members include Nicole Hagner and Tom Ciccarone from the township, Jayme LaJuenesse and Bob Falzarano from the borough, school superintendent Jim O’Neill and athletic director Harvey Cohen and recreation co-directors Tom Denning and Carol Nauta. Mr. Winter said that while all the fields need some help, some need it more than others. “Lum Avenue field was closed down for most of the Spring because it suffered to much wear and tear and needed a rest,” he said. “It is a huge field used by several different sports and the lack of availability impacted many activities.” He also said that weather related problems will cause other fields to shut down. “If you have a good few days of rain, then you are not playing on Sheppard Kollack or Shunpike which is painful for the kids and the parents,” he said.

Todd Rogers, who is the Foundation’s vice president for grants said, “We see such beautiful facilities in other towns and ours is lacking and we want to change that.” He raised an issue that many who visit the fields share, which is their less than spectacular appearance in a town with a reputation for quality and high home prices. Parents have been overheard calling the conditions embarrassing and unpleasant for visitors at best and, at worst, unsafe. “The fields look horrible and their condition is worse,” said one parent of a lacrosse player. “I don’t know why the municipalities can’t see this and make an effort to improve them. Maybe this foundation will raise the visibility of the problems and something will get done.”

Due to the costs, the CAF cannot undertake these improvements alone and has asked the both the Township Committee and Borough Council to partner with them in funding the improvement projects. The Foundation made a presentation to both governing bodies last week and their goals were met with enthusiasm and support. Township committee person Nicole Hagner said, “We fully support your efforts,” and Mayor William O’Connor voiced his approval as well. Borough Mayor Richard Plambeck also supported the idea as well as Richard Crater who is the Council president. Mayor Plambeck envisioned the Foundation to have a similar role as the Friends of the Library. “We have had several meetings with representative of the towns and they have been very supportive,” said Mr. Winter. “The key to success for the Foundation will be to translate that into action and some kind of financial commitment.”

And a precedent has been set for the idea of raising private funds combined with public funds for recreational use. The Chatham Skate Park is a great example of how residents can make a difference in the community in cooperation with local government. Through fundraisers, a brick campaign and band concerts, township resident Suzanne Bonamo and borough resident Mary Carnes helped to raise over $150,000 to make the skate park a reality. The township committee kicked in over $100,000 and donated the land for the park and the borough council donated $2,000. Another example is the Castle Park playground organized by John and Peggy Patton in 1989 and every playground on school property has been built with funds donated by parents through the PTOs. Mr. Winter said his son and another friend held a combined birthday party and, instead of receiving presents, they received donations to help the New Jersey Dare Devils, a handicapped youth hockey league. “They raised $450 and that is just a small example of what people can do,” he said. The Foundation plans to kick off their fundraising efforts in September.

For more information on the Chatham Athletic Foundation visit www.chathamathleticfoundation.org, the website is expected to by fully operational in July, or contact Tom Winter at 973-635-0723.

© 2011 Chatham Athletic Foundation

Email: theboard@chathamathleticfoundation.org