It would be great to see the town use the grant funding to improve and maintain Bellhaven Preserve as it was originally intended : as a preserve for people of all ages to enjoy nature . The site contains wetlands and is part of the foraging habitat of the local bald eagles. Any change will undoubtedly hinder the survival of this majestic raptor. In 2003, as a result of a mediation agreement between the builder of the Bellhaven Condominium and the NJ Department of Envrironmental Protection, Office of Dispute Resolution, a Wetlands Mitigation Plan was submitted to the NJDEP Coastal Project Review. This plan was the basis for the existing preserve but was not completed due to lack of funds. The original plan included a riverwalk, native plantings, removal of invasive species and river access where a dock once stood. Ideally, I and many other Red Bank residents who support improved and maintained public river access, would like to see this original plan completed. Put a waterpark somewhere more appropriate where it will be properly maintained and not continue infringing on the habitat of our national symbol.

I agree with you and Kathleen Andres, Bellhaven is an inappropriate site for a sprayground or a playground. If people could only see the DISGRACEFULL condition that Mohawk Pond, at Count Basie Park , is in, or Marine Park or the bulkhead at the RB Library, you may agree with me that RB has no business creating another park, let alone a sprayground which would require much maintiance and for only a few months out of the year. RB was also suppose to be maintaining Bellhaven and they couldn't do that! At a 4/26/11 Council meeting, Councilwoman Lewis said, "RB can't have anymore parks because the Borough has enough issues maintianing the parks it already has." I think a pocket park at Westside Park, a under utilized piece of property on the corner of Shrewsbury Ave & Doc James, would be more centrally located, more accessable to more residents and be safer, due to the fact that it would be open and visible.