8th Street Park Improvement Plan 

Freedom Park InvitationHazlet's all-new public park at 8th Street and Brown Avenue in the West Keansburg section opens Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. It has a new name, too. The park will now be known as Freedom Park.

The Grand Opening Ceremony will be attended by members of the Township Committee, Monmouth County Commissioners and Hazlet Open Space Advisory Council. The park was accomplished with contributions from public open space funds. Also attending will be the local resident committee that offered suggestions and research on accessible playgrounds. The Recreation Advisory Committee will also be present.

Mayor Michael Sachs invites everyone to visit the newly renovated park to stroll the walking path, play a game in the ball courts or simply enjoy sitting on a bench with neighbors. "Decades ago I played in this park, and I'm thrilled today to see its renewal for the new generation." 

The park is located at 140 Eighth Street, at Brown Avenue. Parking is expected to be limited for the opening day. Please park on 8th / 9th Streets and walk over. 

8th Street Park Groundbreaking

Officials broke ground on the $1.5 million revitalization of 8th Street Park in the West Keansburg section of Hazlet Township on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. 

The project includes the construction of an inclusive playground, an all-purpose court, a basketball court, walking path, benches, trees and more parking to provide visitors with improved access to the 3.75 acre park. 

Construction of the park is expected to be completed by September. In attendance at the groundbreaking were members of the Hazlet Township Committee and representatives of the Dept. of Public Works, Recreation, Open Space Advisory Council and Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners.  

“Across Hazlet, we’re working to bring new life to our parks and recreation centers for Hazlet residents, and 8th Street Park will be the latest, but not the last project we undertake,” said Township Administrator Rob Bengivenga. “Located within walking distance of the Henry Hudson Trail, this transformative project will construct an exciting playground for all children, playing surfaces for different sports and a walking path and benches, providing West Keansburg residents a vibrant place to meet and play. Hazlet is grateful to Monmouth County Commissioners for selecting our plan for a matching Open Space Grant providing $250,000 toward this project, and to the NJ DEP for awarding us a $600,000 low interest rate Green Acres Loan.”

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Hazlet Township 8th Street Park

Progress Summary


2023

  • A ceremonial ground-breaking is held at 8th Street Park on April 25. Construction estimated to continue until September. 
  • Township announces 8th Park will close for renovations until further notice beginning Monday, April 24, 2023.
  • Bid awarded to Shore Top Construction Corp. for $790,400. Nine bids were received. (Resolution 23-78, February 14, 2023)
  • T&M Associates is authorized to conduct soil borings for Eighth Street Park and prepare rig and soil reports in an amount not to exceed $5,000. (Resolution 23-56, January 24, 2023)
  • Hazlet Township puts project out to bid, with responses due February 7,  2023. The scope of work includes the rehabilitation of the existing playground and basketball court, installation of a perimeter walking trail, installation of a multi-purpose court, installation of a new irrigation system, landscaping, lighting, drainage improvements and various park amenities. Interested bidders must contact T&M Associates. (January 13, 2023, Asbury Park Press)

2022

  • The Hazlet Township Committee approved the payment of $141,560 to T & M Engineering for design and construction services of the park. (Resolution 220). 
    At the meeting, former mayor Tara Clark was authorized by the mayor to work with T&M Engineers and the original West Keansburg neighborhood committee to give input on the park design.
  • A $1.5 million Bond Ordinance to provide financing for the construction of the park was approved at the July 12, 2022 Township Committee meeting. 
  • The Township Committee passes resolution May 3, 2022 to accept Monmouth County Open Space grant (Resolution 141) and says it intends to accept the NJ DEP Green Acres Loan.
  • Environmental Study completed by Township Engineer and approved by the state, April 2022.

2021 

  • Awarded $600,000 NJ DEP Green Acres Loan (2% low interest)
  • Awarded $250,000 Monmouth County Open Space Grant
  • Engineering concept plan produced June 2021. Reviewed by stakeholders, revised by Sept.
  • Visioning sessions at 8th Street Park with neighbors, elected officials, township engineer, and representatives of Open Space and Recreation groups, May - August 2021


8th Street Playground Meeting

On October 14, 2022, the 8th Street Park Core Committee met at Hazlet VFW Post 4303. From left: Jason Cinquegrana, Jennifer Brennan, Cliff Moore, Andy Brennan, Donna Wendland, Tara Clark. The group also includes John Powers, who was absent.

Playground Design - 8th Street Park

Core Team Evaluates Playground Design
September 23, 2022

Eighth Street Park’s Core Team and Hazlet Township Committeeman Peter Terranova met at Holmdel’s Allocco Park. The team is beginning work on Eighth Street Park’s playground design, with a focus on inclusivity. They evaluated a wide variety of playground features including swings, slides, and climbers, as well as ADA accessible merry-go-rounds. 

The team is assessing the best playground surfaces to install. They plan to maximize steel construction to ensure long-term durability and to make the playground resistant to vandalism. The Core team also discussed multi-purpose court designs, and other features including community-friendly lighting, multi-generational benches, and possibly incorporating senior citizen elements.

8th Street Park Community Meeting
August 30, 2022
Over 70 people attended an information session about coming plans to renovate 8th Street Park in the West Keansburg section of town. Project leader Tara Clark and T & M Project Manager Dennis Dayback described major features envisioned for the park like a walking path, pavilion, popular playground equipment and multipurpose courts. Hazlet Police Lt. Detective Kevin Geoghan was on hand to respond to questions about security. Township Committee members were also in attendance to support the initiative. The event was hosted at the West Keansburg Fire Co. reception hall.

Community Meeting August 30, 2022

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Creating a Dream Playground & Park in Hazlet
The Hazlet Township Committee's exciting plan to transform the 8th Street Park into a valued community park for the entire town continues to move forward. 

Community Information MeetingAll are invited to a Community Information Meeting hosted at the West Keansburg Firehouse, 91 Eighth St. Learn about the concept plan, talk to engineers, offer input and view the park site on Tuesday, August 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tara Clark, the township's former mayor, continues to spearhead this project. On August 10 she sought the advice of playground experts at Hazlet Summer Recreation Camp. Clark read kids inspiring true story about a girl who helped design a playground in her community, then gave the children the challenge of helping design the future play space for 8th Street Park.

The children shared what they love most about playgrounds they have visited and gave invaluable feedback on structures like saucer swings, wavy slides, spinners, and rope towers. They were excited to hear that their suggestions would be shared with community members, town engineers, and Hazlet's governing body and they could create a dream playground of their own.

Experts Weigh In on Playground Features

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8th Street Park Concept Moves Into Design Phase
July 12, 2022

The Hazlet Township Committee voted July 12 to approve a $1.5 million bond ordinance to provide financing for the  improvement of 8th Street Park, allowing the project to move into the design phase.

The governing body also authorized $141,560 to spent on an engineering design. Mayor Michael Sachs invited former Mayor Tara Clark to organize neighborhood input for the design for the township engineer. 

"It's one of the most exciting things that have happened in town for decades, and I think the people of the town will be so appreciative, not just the people of West Keansburg," said Clark, after thanking the Committee for passing the bond. 

$1.5 Million Bond Ordinance Introduced; 
Hearing Date July 12
June 21, 2022

The Hazlet Township Committee agreed at its June 21, 2022 meeting to introduce a $1.5 million bond ordinance for improvements to Eighth Street Park and authorize the issuance of $1 million in bonds or notes for the financing part of the appropriation.

The amount includes the sum of $250,000 expected to be received as a Monmouth County Open Space Grant and $250,000 as the down payment required by NJ Local Bond Law to be provided by the Open Space fund. 

To finance the cost of the Improvements not covered by application of the Down Payment, negotiable bonds of the Township would be authorized to be issued in the principal amount of $1 million. 

A public hearing is scheduled for the Township Committee's 8 pm meeting of July 12, 2022 at Hazlet Town Hall.

Grant Agreement Approved
May 4, 2022
The Township Committee voted to execute the 2021 Monmouth County Open Space Grant Agreement for the North Hazlet Community Park, aka 8th Street Park, Project #21-20. 

Plan Advances for 8th Street Park Improvements
April 21, 2022

The Township Committee is another step closer towards its goal to completely renovate 8th Street Park in West Keansburg.

Last year, the township learned it won public funding for proposed improvements at the 3.75-acre public park at 8th Street and Brown Avenue. The project plan , created with community stakeholders, includes new playgrounds, a walkway, lighting, parking improvements, a pavilion, fencing, security system and landscaping for an estimated cost of $1.2 million.

8th Street Park aerialAt Tuesday’s Township Committee meeting, Mayor Michael Sachs announced the township was informed it would soon be receiving a 20-year low interest NJDEP Green Acres Program loan of $600,000, following action by the state Legislature and Governor.

“We are moving forward with this project," Sachs said. "We have just been notified within the last 48 hours that the Green Acres funding is now available for us to apply for. So, we’re in the process now of doing the paperwork and then it will go out to bid.”

Also, in recent weeks, the township received the agreement paperwork from the Monmouth County Municipal Open Space Program. In December, Hazlet Township won a competitive $250,000 matching grant from the county. The Township's matching portion will come from the Hazlet Township Open Space Trust Fund, thereby providing a total of $500,000 towards the renovation of North Hazlet Community Park, also known as the 8th Street Park.

Upon project completion, Monmouth County Municipal Open Space Program will reimburse Hazlet with the $250,000 grant award. 

Mayor Sachs explained the project would not be done in pieces or scaled back.

Both programs require the completion of a survey report known as a Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection (PASI). Earlier this month, the Township Committee received the required T&M Engineering report, which will be submitted with the funding agreements.

West Keansburg Outreach -August 2021

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On August 7, 2021, members of the Township Committee, Recreation Department and Public Information Office set up a tent at a neighborhood block party on Central Avenue. The purpose was to gather feedback for the concept plan for the nearby 8th Street Park. Residents looked at the map, talked about their wants and needs, and offered comments on accessibility and links to the popular Henry Hudson Trail transportation trail. 

West Keansburg Outreach - May 15, 2021

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On May 15, 2021, Mayor Tara Clark called up on neighborhood residents to talk about improving 8th Street Park. They had a candid discussion about what they liked about the park and what they did not. The group gave their thoughts on what amenities they would like to have, and gave feedback on lighting, security and noise. 
Attending the listening session was Deputy Mayor Mike Glackin, liaison to the Recreation Advisory Committee; Recreation Director Chris McManus; Township Engineer Project Manager Dennis Dayback; Open Space Advisory Council Vice Chairwoman Annie Eng and Chairman Joe Pobega; and Christina Johnson, Public Information Office. 

8th-Street-Park-Concept-Plan

8th Street Park Concept Plan  You can download or enlarge this image.

Letter to Residents

June 17, 2021

Dear Residents of the West Keansburg section of Hazlet Township,

Hazlet Township is pleased to announce that there is now a plan in place to make substantial improvements to 8th Street Park, located at the corner of 8th Street & Brown Avenue. The Township recognizes that this park is outdated and underutilized in a section of town that does not have other recreational spaces for residents. The entire park is located within a 100-year flood zone. Maintaining this area as open space is beneficial for floodwater storage as well as reducing risks to life and property during flood events in this section of town.

The vision for this proposed project has been shaped by input from the community and will include ADA-compliant playground equipment, basketball courts, shaded picnic tables, a pavilion for activities such as group classes and music performances, an open field for sports and events and walking/jogging track along the periphery of the park. Safety improvements will be included such as updated lighting, a security system and a reconfigured safer parking area. (See the plan on the flip side of this page.)

The Hazlet Recreation Department cordially invites you, and your family, friends and neighbors to our first outdoor concert at 8th Street Park on Thursday, July 8th. The new Hazlet Pops community band will play a Broadway-themed program with over 50 musicians. The band is under the direction Raymond Lahaye, the leader of the Raritan High School Marching Band. The music starts at 7 pm. After the concert we will show the film Mamma Mia! on the big screen under the stars. Please bring a chair or blanket to watch. The Hazlet Pops will be playing every Thursday night around town for the month of July. For a full list of events, go to www.HazletTwp.org/Recreation. 

As a West Keansburg native myself, I am happy to see improvements at the 8th Street Park and I am excited to bring more Recreation Dept. events to this side of the town. 

Please feel free to reach out to the Recreation Office at 732-217-8648 or via email if you have any questions. 

Sincerely,  

Christopher McManus
Hazlet Recreation Director