The construction of the permanent bathrooms at Van Nest Park has been completed, and they will soon be open to the public. “As soon as the water and electric companies are able to turn on the water and electrical hook-ups, they will be ready to go,” said township recreation and park manager Ken Jacobs. “The project includes a women’s bathroom, a men’s bathroom, a water fountain, and a hose hook-up.”
The construction was included in the 2013 capital budget. A contract with V&K Construction Company, at a cost of $166,950, was approved by Council in September. “The price included everything — construction, all electrical, plumbing and sewer work, as well as landscaping,” said Jacobs.
Van Nest Park, located between Cranbury Road and Grovers Mill Pond, “is a fairly active park,” Jacobs said, “especially since the new playground was installed. And many people rent out the pavilion for birthdays and other parties, for Boy Scout and Girl Scout events, and other things. So the township decided that it needed to have a permanent bathroom facility because of the number of people who use the park. Frankly, the port-o-johns were inadequate, especially when kids or large groups are at the park.”
“The township is hoping that the addition of permanent bathrooms will actually increase the park’s usage, especially for those looking to rent the pavilion. This will bring in additional revenue to the park as well. Currently more people use Community Park than Van Nest, and I believe that is due, at least in part, to the fact that Van Nest didn’t have permanent bathrooms,” Jacobs said.
The township is also considering construction of permanent bathrooms at Conover Field and Zaitz Park.
