Mahwah November 21, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 7 Grant sought to rebuild Winters Park playground by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Council has passed a resolution authorizing the township’s administration to submit an application to the Bergen County Open Space, Recreation, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund for a matching grant to make improvements at the Winters Park playground. Mahwah Township Administrator Brian Campion advised the council that the matching grant would require the township to match the amount received from the county. As a result, the plans to improve the playground will remain tentative until the township is advised of the amount it will receive. The cost to improve the playground has been estimated by Boswell Engineering, the township’s engineering firm, at $240,000. Professional Engineer Michael Kelly of the Boswell firm said that amount does not include any engineering costs because the improvements are planned for the same location as the existing playground. Kim Boland has been appointed by Mayor William Laforet to chair a committee of seven “Mahwah Moms” who have volunteered to build a new playground on the Winters Park property. She advised that the Winters Park playground was originally built by a committee of Mahwah citizens almost two decades ago. “This is a huge opportunity to pass the baton to the younger generation to raise money and create a project that will directly affect their children,” Laforet said. “This is an opportunity for younger parents to get involved in the community like never before, and we’re thrilled with what Kim is doing.” Laforet explained that the playground project is part of a master plan for the Winters Pond area that will eventually include landscaping and passive recreation such as walking paths. However, the first order of business is to fund the playground project with grants and donations from residents and businesses in town. The Mahwah Moms include Bolan, Sophie Brewster, Michelle DeSilva, Tori Jensen, Kate Kezmarsky, Michele Streker, and Dawn Zeig. The women meet monthly to discuss their Facebook page content, fundraising efforts, and new ideas about how to create more public awareness. “We’re all moms, but we each have different strengths in different areas, which is what I think will help this project to succeed,” said Bolan, who advised that her committee held a fundraiser on Nov. 9 at the Greenhouse Golf facility in Waldwick. Bolan reported that 25 percent of the gate proceeds went to the Winters Park Playground Project. She said more information about future fundraisers, and how anyone can help with this project, can be found on the group’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/WintersParkPlayground. The committee is working with the township administration and has tapped equipment manufacturer, Gametime, and designed a plan for the playground equipment to combine the best of play with elements of nature. “With the beautiful tree-lined backdrop of the park and the historic importance of the Winters property, we felt it was a no-brainer to give the design a natural look and feel,” said Bolan. “After 20 years of the existing park being loved and used by so many Mahwah children, it’s time to give the playground the appropriate update for a future generation. Many of the kids who utilized the existing park are working adults or out of college now.” New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno will be the guest speaker at the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce’s networking luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 29. The event will be held at the Hilton at 200 Tice Boulevard in Woodcliff Lake from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program will begin with a half-hour of open networking followed by the luncheon and the address from the Lieutenant Governor. Guadagno will provide an overview of economic issues, discuss the outlook for job growth in Guadagno to speak at Chamber event 2013, and review accomplishments of the past year. The cost to attend this event is $50 for Chamber members and $75 for non-members. Advance registration is advised as seating is limited. An additional $5 processing fee will be charged if paid the day of event. The event is sponsored by Goldstein Lieberman & Co. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. To make a reservations or for more information, visit mahwah.com or call (201) 529-5566.