Ocean Freeholders Approve Contract For Berkeley Island County Park

It's been four long years since the gates were locked at Berkeley Island County Park. Four long years since Superstorm Sandy slammed into the popular waterfront park off Brennan Concourse, leaving catastrophic damage in its wake.

Residents and township officials were running out of patience waiting for repairs to start at the popular park. in Bayville.

But they won't have to wait too much longer. The Ocean County Freeholders on Wednesday awarded a $6.9 million contract to Burlington-based Eagle Construction to redevelop the park.

Work is expected to begin in early December.

“It has been four years since our residents experienced the devastating effects of Superstorm Sandy,” Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr. said. “We all experienced great losses in Ocean County and in our ongoing effort to put back the pieces we are pleased to be moving forward with the long-awaited redevelopment of this beloved park."

The announcement was good news to Berkeley Township Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr.

"To say we are excited about the bid award would be an understatement," the mayor said. "Berkeley Island County Park is enjoyed by so many Berkeley residents we can't wait for construction to begin. I want to thank the freeholders for providing the investment to not only repair but to rebuild the entire park. In our early discussions with Freeholder Bartlett a splash park was discussed, which we were very supportive of. We are extremely pleased that the freeholders included a splash park. Prior to Super Storm Sandy, Berkeley Island Park was showing its age."

Ocean County officials expect to receive about $1.2 million in reimbursement funds for the work from the Federal Emergency Management Administration and about $200,000 from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Additional funding may be provided by FEMA from mitigation funds.

Berkeley Island County Park will soon be home to the county's first "splash park," Bartlett said.

Bartlett said he traveled to Philadelphia to see firsthand how the splash pad operates and whether it would be a good fit for an Ocean County park.

“I was very impressed with what I saw,” he said. “It received great use. The children that were running through it really enjoyed it and it was a very nice feature.”

Bartlett said if the 2,300 square foot, nautically themed splash park is successful at Berkeley Island, Ocean County may consider installing them at other county parks.

“We will view this as a pilot program,” he said. “I am pleased we added this new feature in the redevelopment plans of the park.”

Bartlett has said in previous stories before Sandy hit that the decades-old park needed an upgrade.

“The loss of Berkeley Island County Park affected many residents throughout Ocean County," he said. "When it’s done it will be an improved facility with new enhancements that can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Engineers from T&M Associates and Barlo & Associates designed the park redevelopment and buildings, strengthening them to withstand future storms.

A living shoreline will be installed on the south side of the park, and shoreline protection has been fitted on the north side. All new infrastructures, a new parking area with ADA accommodations and improved lighting for easy access are just some of the features that will be available at the 25-acre park.

The redevelopment plan includes larger restroom facilities, a new pavilion for picnickers and new shade structures to enjoy views of Barnegat Bay.

“Ocean County and its Parks Department looks forward to getting the project underway and upon completion offer new amenities to what is viewed as one of Ocean County’s favorite parks,” said Michael T. Mangum, Director of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Images: Patricia A. Miller