Green Acres Park Development – Improvements to Dawes Park

BID #: N/A

DUE: TBD

VALUE: $660,000.00

100

Rating

Risk Rank

Green Risk

AI-Powered Lead Insights

Executive Summary

The Borough of Hightstown, in Mercer County, New Jersey, is seeking funding through the State of New Jersey Green Acres Program for significant improvements to Dawes Park. The project scope includes the expansion and restriping of the basketball court, the addition of bleachers with possible skating elements, a new play surface and ADA-compliant play equipment for the existing playground, improved ADA access throughout the park, new park benches and picnic tables, and enhancements to the multi-use open grass area. A public hearing is scheduled for January 16, 2024, at 6:30 PM at the Hightstown Firehouse Hall to discuss the proposal. Written comments can be submitted to Peggy Riggio, Borough Clerk. The preliminary cost estimate for these improvements is $660,000.00.

Web Content

Green Acres Park Development – Improvements to Dawes Park
Borough of Hightstown
County of Mercer
State of New Jersey
Public Hearing Announcement – Park Development Application
PURPOSE
: Borough of Hightstown is seeking funding through the State of NJ Green Acres Program for improvements at Dawes Park located at 102 Railroad Avenue in Hightstown, Mercer County, New Jersey.
PROJECT SCOPE
: Borough of Hightstown proposes to create the following improvements at Dawes Park: possible expansion and restriping of the existing basketball court, addition of bleachers with possible skating elements adjacent to the basketball court, addition of a new play surface to the existing playground and all new play equipment, including some new ADA compliant play equipment, ADA access from the parking lot to and through the park, addition of park benches and picnic tables to existing open areas of the park and improvement of the existing multi-use open grass area. A concept plan showing the proposed changes, a preliminary cost estimate, and an environmental impact assessment for the project can be found at:
https://www.hightstownborough.com/borough-projects
.
PUBLIC HEARING INFORMATION
: The public is encouraged to attend a public hearing to learn more about the proposal and to ask questions or provide comments on the proposed plan on January 16, 2024, at 6:30 PM. The meeting at the Hightstown Firehouse Hall, 140 North Main Street, as part of the regularly scheduled Council meeting. Written comments on the proposed application may be directed to Peggy Riggio, Borough Clerk, at
priggio@hightstownborough.com
.
Concept Plan_01.09.24 (PDF)
Environmental Impact Assessment – Dawes Park (PDF)
Preliminary Cost Estimate 01.09.24 (PDF)

Document Text

--- Document: Concept Plan_01.09.24 (PDF) ---
X
X
OF 1
1
GENERAL NOTES:
EXISTING OVERHEAD WIRES
LEGEND
EXISTING CONCRETE CURB
EXISTING CONTOURS
EXISTING UTILITY POLE
EXISTING INLETS
EXISTING PARKING LOT LIGHT
EXISTING MANHOLE
EXISTING GAS VALVE
EXISTING SPOT ELEVATION
EXISTING TREE
EXISTING WATER VALVE
EXISTING DRAINAGE PIPE
EXISTING STREET ROW LINE
EXISTING
EXISTING STREET LIGHT
EXISTING WATER SERVICE
EXISTING GAS SERVICE
EXISTING FENCE
PROPOSED
PROPOSED TREE REMOVAL
X




--- Document: Environmental Impact Assessment – Dawes Park (PDF) ---
                                                                                                               NJDEP 2024 Green Acres Grant Application 
 
                                                                                                        Project Narrative| Borough of Hightstown 
 
                                                                                                               Dawes Park Recreation & ADA Improvements 
 
 
1 
Environmental Impact Assessment 
 
In accordance with the Green Acres Program Grant Application, we offer the following assessment to 
demonstrate the suitability of the site for the proposed activities. 
 
1. Description of Proposed Project 
 
Dawes Park is a 1.4-acre multi-use park located adjacent to the Roger C. Cook Greenway Trail. 
This park has playground equipment designed for younger children (2-10 years of age). The park 
includes a small open field for sports play and the only public basketball courts available in any 
of the Hightstown parks. The proposed improvements will include the restriping and possible 
expansion of the existing basketball court, addition of bleachers with possible skating elements 
adjacent to the basketball court, installation of park benches and picnic tables to the existing 
open areas of the park, addition of new play surface and new play equipment, including some 
ADA compliant equipment to the existing playground, improvement of ADA access through the 
park and from the parking lot and improvements to the multi-use open grass area. 
 
Project Objectives: 
 
• 
The design will provide active recreation opportunities with the addition of new play 
equipment and play surfaces. 
• 
Increase park usage by encouraging older children to engage in park play. 
• 
Maintain open areas for passive recreational use. 
• 
Maintain the existing tree canopy to the maximum extent possible. 
 
2. Description of the Environment 
 
a. Vegetation 
Existing vegetation includes native grass areas and deciduous trees, including several white pine 
trees.  
b. Wildlife 
The park provides a habitat for various birds and small mammals like squirrels and rabbits. 
There are no known state or federally threatened or endangered species or critical habitats 
within the project limits. 
 
c. Geology, Topography, and Soils 
The Borough of Hightstown is in the Piedmont Plains landscape as per NJDEP’s Division of Fish 
and Wildlife. According to the NJDEP’s NJ-GeoWeb, the surficial geology consists of the 
Pensauken Formation. The bedrock geology consists of the Kmv Merchantville Formation. The 
Pensauken Formation consists mainly of sand that includes weathered feldspar and clayey sand. 
 
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Conservation Services, 
the soils at Dawes Park are comprised of mostly Sassafras sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, 
well drained (SacB). This soil covers 80 percent of the site and has a capacity to transmit water 
between 0.20 to 2.00 in/hr.  
 
Typical Sassafras (SacB) profile: 
• 
Ap – 0 to 12 inches: sandy loam 


                                                                                                               NJDEP 2024 Green Acres Grant Application 
 
                                                                                                        Project Narrative| Borough of Hightstown 
 
                                                                                                               Dawes Park Recreation & ADA Improvements 
 
 
2 
• 
Bt1 – 12 to 18 inches: sandy loam 
• 
Bt2 – 18 to 28 inches: sandy clay loam 
• 
BC – 28 to 40 inches: loamy sand 
• 
C1 – 40 to 58 inches: sand 
• 
C2 – 58 to 80 inches: sand 
 
d. Water Resources/Hydrology 
As per NJDEP’s GeoWeb, the Borough of Hightstown is located over the Merchantville-
Woodbury confining unit (mewcu), an “E” ranked aquifer with a median yield of 25 to 100 
gpm).  
 
e. Historic/Archeological Resources 
The site is within the Camden and Amboy Railroad Main Line Historic District. 
 
f. 
Transportation/Access to Site 
The site is accessible by car, public transportation via the Route 130 bus, bicycle and 
walking. The main entrance to the park is through the parking lot on Railroad Avenue. 
 
g. Adjacent Land Uses 
NJDEP’s GeoWeb classifies the site as urban. The surrounding properties are a mixture of 
residential and commercial properties The northwestern portion of the site is classified as 
forest. 
 
3. Environmental Impact Analysis of Proposed Action 
 
The affected resources are the entire park area. The footprint of the existing playground area 
may be enlarged. Proposed improvements will be in areas that are already cleared or will require 
minimal additional clearing.  
 
As one of the larger parks in the Borough, the topography and soil conditions will not change 
from existing conditions. The project will minimize impacts to existing trees and drainage 
features while providing public access to safe and healthy ways to experience the recreational 
features of the park.  
 
Short term impacts include barricading the proposed construction areas, limiting access to the 
park during construction, minimal disruption of soil surfaces and measures to control soil erosion 
will be taken during and after the construction activities until vegetation is established. In the 
long term, the proposed project will support the improved maintenance of Dawes Park. The 
proposed improvements will increase park usage by encouraging older children to engage in 
park play and improve the health and wellness of the residents of the Borough. 
 
The proposed improvements will create a much more inviting, aesthetically pleasing public 
recreation space, which will increase visitation to the park. The refurbishment and addition of 
new park amenities will also encourage more of the community to use the park. 
 
Preliminarily, the area of disturbance for the project may not exceed 5,000 square feet, therefore 
a Soil Erosion Permit may not be required for these improvements.  
 


                                                                                                               NJDEP 2024 Green Acres Grant Application 
 
                                                                                                        Project Narrative| Borough of Hightstown 
 
                                                                                                               Dawes Park Recreation & ADA Improvements 
 
 
3 
This project is not expected to be impacted by sea level rise. 
4. Alternatives to Proposed Action 
a. Identify Alternate Site 
- 
This option is null because the proposed improvements are to upgrade and improve 
the existing park amenities. 
 
b. Discuss alternate levels and types of development 
- 
Not applicable 
 
c. Compare environmental impacts of each alternative 
- 
Not applicable 
 
5. Mitigating Measures 
 
No adverse impacts are anticipated as a result of the proposed improvements. Should any 
issues arise during or after construction, the Borough will respond accordingly to any neighbor 
concerns or environmental issues. 
 
6. Author(s) and Qualifications 
 
Roberts Engineering Group, LLC 
 
 
 
       _______________________ 
Carmela Roberts, P.E., C.M.E. 
NJPE License #NJ24GE034419000 




--- Document: Preliminary Cost Estimate 01.09.24 (PDF) ---
ITEM DESCRIPTION
UNITS
QUANTITY
PRICE
TOTAL
1 Mobilization
LS
1
$25,000.00
$25,000.00
1 Clearing Site
LS
1
$30,000.00
$30,000.00
1 Basketball Courts Expansion & Resurfacing
LS
1
$75,000.00
$75,000.00
1 Park Benches and Picnic Table Installation
LS
1
$75,000.00
$75,000.00
1 Bleachers and Possible Skatable Elements
LS
1
$60,000.00
$60,000.00
1 Improvements to Multi-Use Open Grass Area
LS
1
$40,000.00
$40,000.00
1 ADA Access From Parking Lot
LS
1
$50,000.00
$50,000.00
1 ADA Access Within Park
LS
1
$65,000.00
$65,000.00
1 Playground Surface & Play Equipment
LS
1
$130,000.00
$130,000.00
1 Tree Removal/Replacement
LS
1
$35,000.00
$35,000.00
1 Drainage Improvements
LS
1
$50,000.00
$50,000.00
1 Fertilizing and Seeding, Type A-3
LS
1
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
1 Topsoiling, 5" Thick
LS
1
$15,000.00
$15,000.00
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST
$660,000.00
Carmela Roberts, P.E., C.M.E.
N.J. License No. 34419
January 9, 2024
Our File No.: H1552
ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE
BOROUGH OF HIGHTSTOWN, MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
SITUATED IN
Dawes Park Recreation and ADA Improvements