Dedication - Vernon holds a party for new park at Maple Grange

VERNON-Early Sunday afternoon, 100 or more people gathered to fete the grand opening of Vernon’s new park on Maple Grange Road. As temperatures plummeted and a brisk north wind tangled the yellow ribbons festooned across the tent that sheltered the dignitaries, Vernon High School’s marching band regaled the crowd with selections from John Williams’ extensive repertoire, including themes from Superman and Saving Private Ryan. “Over 17 inches of rain fell in the past two weeks, and we had soccer games going on this morning,” said Assistant Township Manager Gary Gardner. “It’s wonderful.” As master of ceremonies, Councilman Neil Desmond welcomed guests and proclaimed the completion of Vernon’s long-awaited community recreation and leisure complex, the overcast sky showed patches of blue, and the brass instruments reflected the copper, red and gold leaves that framed the bowl’s rim above the ball fields. “What you see completed before you is the beginning of several phases of construction planned for addressing recreation and leisure needs here in Vernon Township,” Desmond said. “When completed in its entirety . . . it will give us a true sense of place . . .where special memories are created for grandparents, parents, children and neighbors. “It is here that our town’s young athletes will learn that winning, while important, is not the only reason to play the game. Our children will learn here on these fields that losing, rather than marking the end of things, provides a moment to reflect and to renew one’s commitment . . .This place can truly help teach invaluable lessons, lessons learned by those who come after us, creating good citizens who will contribute to the quality of life here in the town we love, Vernon, New Jersey. Shawn Harrigan, a member of the Wallkill Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8441, dedicated the American flag that flies above the ball fields. While the flag was hoisted aloft, the VTHS band accompanied fellow student Laura Gay as she sang the National Anthem. VFW members then fired a three-volley salute. A blessing was read by Monsignor John Boland, who said, “We ask God’s blessings on this hallowed ground that provided sustenance and rest for the Native Americans who lived here…and will provide sustenance, laughter and joy for all who use it.” Boland is pastor of St. Francis Roman Catholic Church and leads Vernon’s Ecumenical Council. Mayor Ira Weiner praised all those who had labored to further the project. He especially applauded the citizens who fought for years to preserve the 10,000-year-old Lenni-Lenape American Indian site discovered on the property. That battle ended earlier this year when the N.J. Department of Environment Protection (DEP) bought the 134-acre Lenni-Lenape site from Vernon for $804,000, and made it part of Wawayanda State Park. The land occupies the slope east of the bowl where the ball fields lie, and is separated from the body of the park by a roadway. In her speech, Deputy Mayor Janet Morrison emphasized the township’s commitment to the good of its children. “Societies that have not nurtured their children have suffered . . . Recreation has been shown to uniquely both to divert children from negative pursuits and to provide a format for character development,” Morrison said. “To the parents and volunteers who devote so many hours to our town’s recreation programs, we say thank you. . . It is for you that this facility was built.” Senator Robert Littell and Freeholder Director Glen Vetrano both lauded Vernon for its perseverance in overcoming obstacles to build its long-desired park. Township Manager Don Teolis referred to the “long and winding road” Vernon has traveled to achieve the park, and lauded the hard work of Assistant Township Manager Gary Gardner, Director of Planning and Development Lou Kneip, Director of Public Works Edward J. Snook, General Supervisor of Public Works Dave Pullis, and Township Attorney Joseph Ragno. Recreation Director Pat Seger praised the state-of-the-art ball fields, saying that with the lighting and quickly draining synthetic turf, the fields are useable “24/7” - although, for practical purposes, the lights go out and the games end at 10 p.m. Police Athletic League (PAL) Director Randy Mills referred to the many “bumps on the road” the Township passed over in reaching the gala day. He also mentioned the disparity in quality between the park’s well-drained synthetic turf fields and Vernon High’s muddy fields, and urged voters considering the $13 million school referendum coming up in December to keep the difference between the fields in mind when considering how to vote. Among the guests at the ceremony were Vernon School Superintendent Tony Macerino; engineer Cory Stoner, who designed the park; and Tom Schoon, Sr. and Tom Schoon, Jr. of Tomco, Inc. whose company was awarded a $1 million contract to build the two synthetic-turf, multipurpose ball fields and the one natural grass field. Also present were freeholders Steve Oroho, Hal Wirths and Susan Zellman. The ceremony concluded with a glittering finale featuring performances by the VHS marching band, cheerleaders and flag twirlers, after which the chilled crowd adjourned to feast on a classic ballpark meal of hot dogs and hamburgers. When the park is complete, it will offer, in addition to the ball fields, two basketball courts, two tennis courts and a picnic pavilion overlooking the playing fields, as well as bocce courts and horseshoe pits. The parking area will hold about 206 cars.