Nutley Community Preservation Pa

Letter to Parks and Public Property Commissioner Mauro Tucci:

Dear Commissioner Tucci:

I am writing on behalf of the Nutley Community Preservation Partnership to ask for more information on the status of the Creative Playground at Nichols Park and any plans for its future. Recent reports in the media appear to suggest that the playground is dilapidated and overrun by rats. These reports further suggest that the playground is likely to be torn down. Having visited the playground the other day, I honestly can’t say that I saw a facility in an extreme state of decay nor one that was overrun by vermin.

What I did see, I think, was a playground that was beginning to show its age and probably in need of maintenance and updating. I think what I also saw was a park that is probably used quite intensively, at times, what with the playground and ball fields. I would imagine that this intensive use, and the ancillary problems it generates, is quite a sore spot with some of the neighbors. The lack of a buffer between the playground and neighborhood adds to this. And, at times, the park and playground probably also serve as a hangout both for teens (and even adults who use the ball field – and drink during and after games).

In short, there are probably legitimate grievances surrounding the playground and park, as there likely are with every playground and park, but none that can not be managed. I’m sure that, in your many years of public administration, you have faced these challenges before and found ways to successfully address them.

I have often passed by the playground and have been impressed by its originality, and yes, creativity. In viewing it more closely the other day, I was even more impressed considering that it was done largely through citizen donations of time, labor and money. A playground and a park that successfully draws people for recreational purposes would, by most definitions, be considered a resounding success and an asset to the community.

On behalf of the NCPP, I would ask that you do all that can be done to preserve the Creative Playground. While it may be imperfect and in need of care, it is also a very distinctive and unique feature of the park. Please let me know your plans for this facility, and also let me know if there is anything with which our organization can assist.

Jim Levendusky
President, NCPP

Nutley Community Preservation Partnership


	Update... Update... Update... Update... Update... Update... Letter to Parks and Public Property Commissioner Mauro Tucci: Dear Commissioner Tucci: I am writing on behalf of the Nutley Community Preservation Partnership to ask for more information on the status of the Creative Playground at Nichols Park and any plans for its future. Recent reports in the media appear to suggest that the playground is dilapidated and overrun by rats. These reports further suggest that the playground is likely to be torn down. Having visited the playground the other day, I honestly can’t say that I saw a facility in an extreme state of decay nor one that was overrun by vermin. What I did see, I think, was a playground that was beginning to show its age and probably in need of maintenance and updating. I think what I also saw was a park that is probably used quite intensively, at times, what with the playground and ball fields. I would imagine that this intensive use, and the ancillary problems it generates, is quite a sore spot with some of the neighbors. The lack of a buffer between the playground and neighborhood adds to this. And, at times, the park and playground probably also serve as a hangout both for teens (and even adults who use the ball field – and drink during and after games). In short, there are probably legitimate grievances surrounding the playground and park, as there likely are with every playground and park, but none that can not be managed. I’m sure that, in your many years of public administration, you have faced these challenges before and found ways to successfully address them. I have often passed by the playground and have been impressed by its originality, and yes, creativity. In viewing it more closely the other day, I was even more impressed considering that it was done largely through citizen donations of time, labor and money. A playground and a park that successfully draws people for recreational purposes would, by most definitions, be considered a resounding success and an asset to the community. On behalf of the NCPP, I would ask that you do all that can be done to preserve the Creative Playground. While it may be imperfect and in need of care, it is also a very distinctive and unique feature of the park. Please let me know your plans for this facility, and also let me know if there is anything with which our organization can assist. Jim Levendusky President, NCPP