In 2007 Business Week Magazine rated Oakland 43rd and our recreation programs 9th in their article “50 Best Places to Raise Your Kids” for having the best, most affordable recreational programs in the entire United States and since then things have only gotten better. What an incredible achievement, we all owe congratulations to our hundreds of dedicated volunteers for making recreation the success it is. Oakland is quite unique, in that we are the only town in the area that does not have a paid Recreation Department. Other than Summer Camp, all of our Recreation sports and programs are run completely by volunteers. All of our programs are developed, managed, implemented and all field scheduling rules and regulations, equipment purchasing etc. is all done by the nine Recreation Commissioners, all of whom are appointed by the mayor to serve staggered 5 year terms.
The Recreation Commissioners, coordinators, directors and hundreds of volunteer coaches offer a variety of programs for Oakland’s youth from kindergarten through high school and even adults, including Baseball, Golf, Softball, Football, Cheerleading, Roller Hockey, Basketball, Soccer, Wrestling, Tennis, Adult Sports, and a Program specially developed for our Special Needs Children. We also run our Summer Camp Program, which was voted runner up for best camp in Northern New Jersey last year by the local newspaper, which considered all camps including private.
This has been a busy couple of years for Recreation. We have created a web site www.oaklandrec.com. There you can find all up to date information about recreation, including field closings, schedules, contacts, field permits etc. the very busy site averages over 6,000 hits per month. All of our 400+ coaches have been certified in the Rutgers Coaches Safety Certification Program and had complete background checks.
Recently we were able to complete many projects, including resolving safety issues such as the installation of on-deck batting cages for all fields. We also installed 70’ foot high steel poles and safety netting around 5 fields to protect players, coaches and spectators from hazardous foul balls. We refurbished both the outfields and infields of various fields including new top soil and sod, added a new sprinkler system to field #9 funded by the Sports Association of Oakland. With the help of James Construction (Potash family) and their heavy equipment including a bulldozer we were able to level grade and completely refurbish field #2. This is the sixth field they have voluntarily renovated over the past few years. The Lorraine Murray field was rededicated this past year, complete with a new scoreboard courtesy of the Oakland Fathers Club and refurbished infield and much needed drainage. All of these projects valued at over $250,000, were done with absolutely zero tax dollars! Some of the funds came from a trust account funded by a capital fee included in our sports sign up fees, and field rental fees, the remainder came from monetary donations, as well as donations of labor and materials.
We are indeed excited that the tennis court construction project is now completed. The courts represent an integral part of our recreations infrastructure and are enjoyed by many residents both young and old alike. This amazing project was completed utilizing over $349,000 in county and private grants as well as contributions from the Recreation Commissions trust fund. This past June we held a rededication ribbon cutting ceremony and changed the name of the courts to the Suman – Marchese courts to honor Roger Marchese for his hard work and dedication to the tennis courts and tennis programs in Oakland.
We have two exciting projects in the works and are in the process of applying for grants to help fund hem. The first project is a new ADA compliant playground surface for the age 5-12 year old playground and new play equipment for a 2-5 year old toddler playground expansion.
A concept and design plan for a walking, jogging, bicycling, wheelchair path throughout the complex is also in the works. This would be a wonderful addition to the recreation complex. It would be a much sought after safe, level surface for people young and old to enjoy throughout the year. Initially we are looking to install an asphalt surface to almost a mile of area within the complex weaving in and around the ball fields and parking lot perimeters. We are proposing rest stops with benches and areas with exercise equipment strategically placed throughout.
We welcome any and all volunteer efforts so if you have a special skill or trade and would like to volunteer please contact any of our commissioners on our website.
By Steve Wagoner
wagoners@optonline.net
I find it interesting how the recreation commissioner continues to lobby for the as-yet-to-be-created post of full-time recreation director. I also find it intereting how he continues to skew the costs to the taxpayers for these projects.
Funny how the fact that the borough had to match all of that grant money isn’t listed. Nowhere was it listed that it cost $250k to move a water main that was located under the tennis courts and alledgedly causing the cracking (later found to be false). This obviously increases the cost of the tennis court project. It was also not listed that rec has yet to provide that $30k for the tennis court project from the trust fund.
Another missing fact is that the playground surface IS and has alwasy been ADA compliant. Mr. Wagoner’s source for any claims of non-compliance with the ADA is a vendor trying to sell the borough a playground. Seems like a conflict of interest to me. By the way, what will happen to the bocce court that is used by physically challenged kids every summer if Mr. Wagoner gets his whim granted once again?
How about putting those nets (Oakland’s own Green Monster) by the parking lots to protect people as they enter and leave? Don’t forget, rec also wants to put in a water park too but hey, don’t worry Oakland taxpayers. We’ll get grant money to pay for it.
Most people do not understand how much volunteer time Steve puts into recreation. They only see the “man on a mission”. It is important to understand that Steve and my other fellow recreation commissioners were put here to make a difference with the recreation programs, infrastructure and financing. The fact that he is motivated and an activist is a plus to anyone the uses the facility or has a child in one of our programs.
I understand uneasiness still exists with some people regarding the installation of the new tennis courts. I am not going to rehash the pro and con arguments about the courts, instead I need to point out that we live in a democratic society. We have elected officials that make decisions based on ideas brought before them. This process was put into play last year, as there was time for discussion, debate and ultimately a vote. If people were unhappy with decisions made, then as Cokie Roberts always says “we can vote the rascals out”. Like it or not this is how a democratic republic works.
As we spend so much energy discussing the $350K allocated for the “million dollar” tennis courts, what is glossed over is how much Steve and the rest of the recreation commission achieves with zero tax payer dollars. The commission works hard every year replacing and upgrading the facility. The Potash family have entrusted us with a beautiful plot of land, but it was one that was getting old and decaying. Over the past few years we have upgraded and replaced 6 of the 9 ball fields – with no tax payer dollars, we have installed sprinklers – with no tax payer dollars, installed safety cages and safety netting – with no tax payer dollars, upgraded and improved the safety of our equipment – with no tax payer dollars; I can go on and on, but I am uncomfortable grand standing.
I would like to invite Mr. Ahearn or any other concerned citizen to come to a Recreation Commission meeting. At these meetings we openly discuss other cost saving measures as well as future plans for the complex. Rumors such as obliteration of the bocce courts, safety nets that supposedly don’t protect people walking, alleged under the table dealings with vendors and secret plans for a recreation director can be questioned and correct information disseminated.
The democratic process is alive and well in Oakland. Discussions on the Oakland Journal and other formats are good for our society. Thankfully we have these types of forums so citizens can be informed, banter about ideas and help strengthen our village.
Mike Guadagnino
Vice-Chairman
Oakland Recreation Commission
While it’s nice that Mr. Guadagnino has taken up the cause to defend Mr. Wagoner, he shouldn’t start rumors himself while accusing others of doing so.
The fact is that Mr. Wagoner has proposed and wants to put a NEW playground next to the current one by the Danny D’Elia building. The fact is that the bocce court currently sits on the proposed site and is used by physically challenged kids during the summer. The fact is that this has NOT been discussed at all when the demand for more rec money has been made to the Mayor and Council.
The fact is that an additional $250k was spent to move the water main and never mentioned in the cost for the tennis courts. The fact is that all that grant money is MATCHING grant money that the taxpayers have to come up with. The fact is that this has been and continues to be ignored by the rec commission.
The fact is that I NEVER alleged under the table dealing with vendors. The fact is that Mr. Wagoner himself told the Mayor and Council that a VENDOR advised HIM that the playground surface was not ADA compliant (check the minutes from the borough council meetings).
The fact is that safety nets were installed between fields while NONE were installed along the parking area.
The fact is that Mr. Wagoner has repeatedly reminded everyone that he is a not a paid employee of the borough and in FACT used that as part of the argument for the costliest version of the tennis court project. He specifically cited the $100k per year savings the borough gets by not having a full-time paid rec director.
If Mr. Guadagnino would like to dispute my statements, fine but don’t accuse me of spreading rumors. These are facts that once again are being conveniently overlooked.
Dear Mr. Ahearn,
I thank you for you quick impassioned response. As I said above, this type of discussion is healthy in a tight knit community such as Oakland.
Rather than turn this forum into a debate, it would be more productive and proactive if you and anyone else interested attended one of our recreation commission meetings. At that time we can discuss all the issues and separate fact from rumor/innuendo.
Thanks again and hope to see you at our next meeting on Monday November 30th at 8:00 in the Danny D’Elia building.
Mike
Dear Mr. Guadagnino,
While I appreciate your invitation and that of the rec commission, I have other plans for November 30th that I cannot change and will be unable to attend the rec meeting.
I think a new playground would be great – The playground in question is a disgusting mess – I have no idea if it is compliant with anything – all I know is that I am the mother of 3 and my kids come home filthy dirty if they play there – in the summer, the tires get warm and melty & the clothes get black and dirty. A good amount of the mothers I know feel the same way. A new playground is definitely in order. I do, however, hope that they keep the bocce court – it is always enjoyable to see the people playing it. It is howevevr in a bad location so I hope they move it someplace out of the walkway between the playground and the Danny D building. There is plenty of places that it could be moved.
Ms Benducci,
We have been hearing the very same complaints about the rubber mulch for for years and years, I remember all too well my son coming out of the playground filty dirty. We recently applied for a $40K county grant to help cover the cost of installing a new, clean, ADA compliant solid rubber flooring at the playground and I am pleased to say it appears we will get it.
We are also planning to install play equipment suitable for a 2-5 year olds in that area, with zero taxpayer funds and volunteer labor.
Again, you are right on about the bocce court, our special needs children and others do make very good use of the courts and we wouldn’t dream of doing away with them. They are in the walkway, as part of our master plan we will relocate them to the other side of the Danny Delia Building.
Steve Wagoner
Recreation Commissioner
What rec wants, rec gets….
Our next Recreation Commission meeting is Monday December 14th, 8:00 at the Danny D’elia building.