The Collinsville Playground has seen better days.
Vegetation pokes through cracks in the basketball court. A ragged slope spills into the volleyball pit. Chain-link fencing has crumpled around the tennis court. A lone slide remains in the kiddie play area.
Morris Township officials aim to install $90,000 worth of new playground equipment by year’s end.
But some residents in the resurrected Collinsville Civic League would like to see more: A skate park; a pavilion for outdoor grilling; a multipurpose field for soccer, lacrosse and handball; and a two-story civic center with conference rooms, a study hall, technology bar and rooftop seating.
“This is a very ambitious plan,” acknowledged the proposal’s creator, Jaraun Wright, a Township Environmental Commission member who revived the long-dormant neighborhood association in February with his girlfriend, Kristina Rookwood.
On Tuesday night they presented conceptual sketches to Township Committee members Bruce Sisler and Cathy Wilson, Administrator Tim Quinn and Parks and Recreation Director Bill Foelsch at Bethel AME Church in Morristown.
Pastor Sidney Williams Jr. convened the gathering for members of the Collinsville neighborhood who feel the playground upgrade is taking too long.
Heartily endorsing Wright’s concept, Williams triggered animated discussion by suggesting funds could be raised easily from private donors and developers.
Slideshow photos by Kevin Coughlin:
The Township Committee has envisioned improvements to the triangular park since 2009, and the new playground equipment–replacing decades-old pieces recently removed–has sat in a warehouse since 2016.
Bids will be solicited soon for engineering and installation, anticipated to cost the Township about $45,000, according to the officials.
‘UNDERWHELMING’
Some of the public questions and comments were pointed. Concerns were raised about inadequate lighting, closed entrances, and no shade. One resident called the playground plan “underwhelming.” Others said the Township never sought their input. Meanwhile, Cornine Field, off Sussex Avenue, is slated for $2 million in improvements.
“I don’t think they care…I don’t think it would have taken this long if they cared,” said Collinsville resident Kimberly Brown.
“We’re the only minority area in the Township, and we’re treated like that,” added resident Jeannie McKay after the 90-minute session with the predominantly African American audience.
Sisler has not visited Collinsville during his nine years in office, McKay said during the meeting. Resident Ronald Kimbrough noted Sisler is running for re-election.
At that point Williams jumped up. Declaring his friendship and respect for Sisler –their children are classmates–the pastor explained he had invited Sisler to the meeting for a nonpolitical community update.
Promising the committeeman “we will keep it civil, because we are in the house of God,” Williams told the 20 or so residents in the room: “What you all do outside of here, go for it.”
Later, Sisler said he had not come for publicity. The Township is happy to collaborate with the Collinsville neighborhood, and will share the playground engineering specifications when they are completed, he said.
Foelsch pledged a structure for shade, and eventually, durable high-tech surfaces for the basketball and tennis courts. But he said the park’s sloping topography and wedge-shaped layout would pose challenges for some features in Wright’s proposal.
Quinn, the administrator, and Sisler also cautioned they could not guarantee municipal funding for that proposal.
“The process we take is we look at all our capital budget requests by our department heads, and there needs to be a decision on how much money do we have, and what can we fund,” Sisler said.
‘WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR HANDOUTS’
Williams offered that a benefactor in Mendham wrote a $1 million check to renovate Bethel after severe flood damage from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.
“If this community wants to see a better playground, there are people in Morris County that have the resources to do a better playground,” Williams said. Residents simply need a plan. “If you don’t have a plan, you’re just talking and complaining.”
One resident bristled at the notion. “We are well aware that we have potential. We are prepared to use that potential to get what we need. We are not asking for handouts,” she said.
Township applications for Community Development Block Grants have been rejected twice, Quinn said. Sisler said he needed to research the legalities of soliciting private funds for the park.
Committeewoman Cathy Wilson, who made Collinsville a campaign issue last year, recommended the Township proceed with the playground, and add elements from Wright’s proposal in the future.
Wright remained optimistic despite blowback from a resident who admonished him for “lecturing” her.
“I think it’s very important that we take the initiative,” said the Morristown High School graduate, who is studying environmental sustainability at Drew University.
“This is our community. We have the opportunity to make this playground what we want it to be.”
Thank you for your comment Mr.Sprickman I have been trying for 4 years to get some work done at the playground Mr. Sisler only got in to this for one thing and that is to keep his seat on the Township committee.
I am the Democratic committee man from the Collinsville area for many years and I have lived there all my life it seems that we are always last on the Township list even snow plowing seems to be a problem it seems that no one wants to do Collinsville or as they say who wants to do the hood this is so wrong no the Township did not care about us until two Democrats won now Sisler cares?
Interesting Sisler’s never been there. Perhaps a bit too comfy in his committee seat. It’s not like this is some sprawling metropolis – I would imagine anyone who takes the job seriously would visit all the township-owned properties in their nine years of service…
So wonderful to see these residents reminding the committee members that ALL residents have a voice.
Remember during the debates prior to the last election when ex-committee member Louise Johnson referred to this neighborhood as “that racial area”? Yeah, voters remembered that. And it makes me so happy this neighborhood is speaking up. Here’s hoping the committee members can help move these plans forward.