Parents Call For Upgrades To Wysong Baseball Fields In Mendham

MENDHAM, NJ — It seems like Mendham Township residents are still thinking about recreation updates, with the latest park improvement proposal coming from two local parents who are willing to self-fund their proposed project.

According to Mendham Township Parks and Recreation Director David Guida, the proposal to upgrade certain areas of Wysong Park was brought forth to the recreation committee by two parents involved with the baseball and softball leagues.

The proposal calls for a four-foot-high chain-link border fence to be built around the existing baseball field. This addition would improve park safety by creating a physical barrier between the baseball field and the nearby playground. It would also protect spectators in the park during a game.

According to Joseph Lynch, one of the coaches presenting the proposal, children have a habit of walking onto the field while games are in progress, unaware that they are entering an active game space.

Last year, a child was hit in the face with a fly ball after walking into the game area.

"Luckily, he didn't break anything… But it's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured off that," Lynch said.

Another improvement would be the installation of chain-link dugout enclosures, which are currently not present at Wysong.

According to Lynch, some of the recreational baseball games take place in the late summer months, which means that kids are sitting in the hot sun with no shade.

"You're having eight-year-old, seven-year-old, six-year-old kids playing six hours in the sun. We've been bringing in tenting and fans just to kind of keep them cooled down, but I mean this would go a long way and prevent kids from getting heat stroke and even just basic overheating," Lynch said.

Unlike previous recreation proposals, this one would be entirely self-funded, Lynch said.

The total cost is anticipated to be between $17,000- $18,000 and would be made up of fundraising contributions, which have already been organized.

"Wysong is in need of upgrades. I think a lot of the fields, which is why this is becoming an issue across all three towns, Chester, the township and the borough. They need to be upgraded... We could use some improvement in most of our fields," Lynch said.

Committeewoman Lauren Spirig praised the effort, calling it an incredible investment in the children of Mendham and a great display of dedication from the community's local recreation teams.

"I see how much time you guys spend, and it's all just for the love of the game and the kids, and this is just the next level for that. You are really doing an amazing thing for our kids and I see no downside. You are doing a great service to our town," Spirig said.