"Project Play" Update – Church Square Park
Here is an email I received updating the distribution list on “Project Play”. The goal of this project is to renovate the aging play equipment in Church Sqare Towers Park. I always like the idea of a group of concerned citizens getting together to solve issues in the community. Here goes:
We wrote to you in the spring about our plan to renovate the aging equipment in Church Square Park and our desire to actively participate in solving this problem. “Project Play” was born!
The first thing we did was contact the head of the City Council subcommitee (Peter Cunningham) and the (then) Director of Environmental Services (Jim Ronga). Since the change in City administration, Jim Ronga retired and a new Director Of Environmental Services was named. His name is John Pope.
About 2 weeks ago the swings in Church Square Park were taken down by the city due to a child being injured. We saw this unfortunate circumstance as an opportunity to introduce ourselves to Director Pope and present the swing portion of our renovation plan. We had the meeting last Thursday and it was fantastic! Director Pope welcomed our ideas with open arms, pulled additional City resources into the room, and we all walked away with major “to dos”.
We obviously want to capitalize on the momentum we created in this meeting with Director Pope, Councilman Cunningham, and Councilwoman Marsh. This is where you all come in!
1. Researching grants (other than Green Acres and NJ Open Spaces).
2. Develop a “press/marketing kit”
3. Contacting Politicians for help
This is just the beginning! Once the project is approved and we know the advertising guidelines the hard work of fund-raising will begin. We will need individuals to run events (car washes, a battle of the bands, a carnival, etc.), act as members of the Project Play Board (a treasurer, secretary, accountant, web site director (we need this to be as transparent and open as possible), etc. Keep this in the back of your mind!
Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement as we make our way through the politics of Hoboken to make this dream a reality for all of the residents and children of this great City!
Regina and Zabrina
PS- I included some people who have already moved from Hoboken but you just might still have friends, contacts who will be able to help us! Please pass this email on to anyone you may know who likes getting involved in their Hoboken community!
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