July 22, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Midland Park Ridgewood philanthropist David Bolger is offering to help Midland Park install a splash park at the recreation field. The project would further enhance the recreation offerings for residents as an adjunct to the DePhillips Community Center, which Bolger refurbished last year at a cost of nearly $1 million. “The center has turned out to be such an asset to the community, this would make it even better,” Bolger said. Bolger sees the splash park as an effort to unite the community in a common goal. His thought is that he would fund any required engineering work and necessary plans, and “the balance of the work, such Bolger proposes splash facility for recreation area as plumbing, electrical and concrete be provided for by the local citizens,” Bolger told Mayor Joseph Monahan in a recent letter suggesting the project. “Thus, there should be no cost impact to the Borough of Midland Park,” the letter added. Monahan said the offer is “under evaluation and subject to several operational, technical and general questions prior to potentially proceeding such as: “How would we manage it operationally? “What safety measures are required? “What will be the target utilization of it? “What is the impact on the site and neighbors as well as drainage and infrastructure? “What are the initial and ongoing costs?” the mayor said. “These along with determining if there is enough public support for it all need to be vetted out,” Monahan added. Monahan said that the engineering work will evaluate the technical feasibility questions required to make that final ‘go/no go’ determination. Detail engineering is not warranted until if and when the project is approved, he said. A splash park, a concrete pad with rubber coating for safety equipped with sprinklers and other water amusements, can range in price from a few thousand dollars to $250,000, depending on the variety and complexity of the equipment. Such parks are in place in Van Saun Park and Elmwood Park, among other locations, according to the mayor. Businessman donates screen A Midland Park businessman has donated a custom canvas movie screen to be used by the recreation department for its movie nights. Two are scheduled for next month on Aug. 7 and 28. Harry Parker of Custom Canvas Designers on Greenwood Avenue decided to donate the screen that Recreation Director Lori Dent had commissioned his company to make. “It’s the screen and a cover. It’s a very generous offer,” Dent said. “Mr. Parker said he wanted to donate it because of all the enjoyment his grandchildren, who live in Midland Park, get from our programs,” Dent added. Dent said that the 10 by 12-foot screen is the final piece needed for the popular movie nights to be totally self-sufficient. She said Friends of Recreation purchased the projector, high school student Chris Gandet manages the projection and the sound system, and resident John Gormley acts as DJ. She said she is now trying to recruit a local music group or groups to play before dark and the start of the movie. The Aug. 7 event is scheduled as the finale to the summer recreation program, which ends that day. More than 300 borough children participated in the sixweek program. At the suggestion of Recreation Director Lori Dent, the board of recreation discussed the idea of a sprinkler park as an alternative to using the Fair Lawn pool several years ago, but the subject was put on hold as the town discussed a new recreation facility. Campers used the Fair Lawn pool on extended days for a number of years, but once the wasted time and the cost of transportation were factored in, Dent thought that it might be more cost effective to put in a basic sprinkler park at the Dairy Street recreation field, instead. At present, the recreation department rents inflatable water slides for the extended days, Wednesdays and Thursdays until 3 p.m. The six-week summer camp enrolls more than 300 youngsters, with an average of 180 a week. Dent said there are still openings for the July 27 and Aug. 3 final weeks. If interested email Dent at mprec@optonline.net. ���������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������� ������������������������� ����������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������ ������������������������� ���������� ����������������������