Millville Housing Authority

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nj.com
By JASON LADAY
April 29, 2009

Fitness area grant is sought by MHA

MILLVILLE - The city housing authority on Tuesday voted to authorize its executive director, Paul Dice, to spend $3,640 toward creating an outdoor "fitness and recreational area" in the empty lot adjacent to the Holly City Family Center.

That money would pay for the first phase of the recreation plan, which would install new fencing, a stone-bed perimeter around the area, a wood-mulch walking track, 3,000 square-feet of sod and other landscaping updates.

Dice and the MHA are currently applying for a $16,312 Cumberland County Improvement Authority grant that would not only recoup funds spent on the first phase, but also provide for a second phase - which would include park benches, a picnic table and a $9,500 upgrade from a mulch walking track to asphalt and gravel. A volleyball-badminton net has also been proposed.

"If we get the grant, then great; it pays for all of it. But if we don't, then fine - but I think this is a project we should move forward with," said Dice. "At least this vote allows us to begin using this area."

While the CCIA's decision on the grant is not expected until April 2010, Dice and the MHA hope to finish phase one of the project by "mid to late May."

The proposed project met with wide approval among members of the MHA commissioners and property managers, representing the authority's eight public housing complexes.

One manager stated her residents are especially enthusiastic about the idea of installing a walking track.

"When I told them we wanted to put in a walking track there, the seniors went crazy for the idea," said Kari Elmer, property manager at Cedarview Court. "Many of the sidewalks in the area are damaged, and they can't walk on them; they say they fear for their lives walking near the speeding cars."

The 75-by-200-foot lot, located between the Holly City Family Center and the former Church of God, on East Mulberry Street, is owned by the Holly City Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the MHA.

The grant would come out of the CCIA's Environmental Enhancement Program.

The park would feature a 4-foot-wide, 238-feet-long walking track, which would surround 3,000 square feet of sod. Dice said he envisions the area a place where residents of all ages could turn to for recreation and fitness purposes.

"It would be a place for children to play, of course, and, while the walking track is popular with seniors, it wouldn't be only for them," said Dice. "Also, with a volleyball net, maybe adults could form leagues and have a place there to work out."

	Press Release About Us > News & Press Releases > Press Release nj.com By JASON LADAY April 29, 2009 Fitness area grant is sought by MHA MILLVILLE - The city housing authority on Tuesday voted to authorize its executive director, Paul Dice, to spend $3,640 toward creating an outdoor "fitness and recreational area" in the empty lot adjacent to the Holly City Family Center. That money would pay for the first phase of the recreation plan, which would install new fencing, a stone-bed perimeter around the area, a wood-mulch walking track, 3,000 square-feet of sod and other landscaping updates. Dice and the MHA are currently applying for a $16,312 Cumberland County Improvement Authority grant that would not only recoup funds spent on the first phase, but also provide for a second phase - which would include park benches, a picnic table and a $9,500 upgrade from a mulch walking track to asphalt and gravel. A volleyball-badminton net has also been proposed. "If we get the grant, then great; it pays for all of it. But if we don't, then fine - but I think this is a project we should move forward with," said Dice. "At least this vote allows us to begin using this area." While the CCIA's decision on the grant is not expected until April 2010, Dice and the MHA hope to finish phase one of the project by "mid to late May." The proposed project met with wide approval among members of the MHA commissioners and property managers, representing the authority's eight public housing complexes. One manager stated her residents are especially enthusiastic about the idea of installing a walking track. "When I told them we wanted to put in a walking track there, the seniors went crazy for the idea," said Kari Elmer, property manager at Cedarview Court. "Many of the sidewalks in the area are damaged, and they can't walk on them; they say they fear for their lives walking near the speeding cars." The 75-by-200-foot lot, located between the Holly City Family Center and the former Church of God, on East Mulberry Street, is owned by the Holly City Development Corporation, a subsidiary of the MHA. The grant would come out of the CCIA's Environmental Enhancement Program. The park would feature a 4-foot-wide, 238-feet-long walking track, which would surround 3,000 square feet of sod. Dice said he envisions the area a place where residents of all ages could turn to for recreation and fitness purposes. "It would be a place for children to play, of course, and, while the walking track is popular with seniors, it wouldn't be only for them," said Dice. "Also, with a volleyball net, maybe adults could form leagues and have a place there to work out."