Facility Upgrade Ideas Bubbling at Crystal Springs

The township council issued approvals Monday night that will get the ball rolling on a large project to bring upgrades to Crystal Springs.

The park's water slide tower is proposed to be redone, with a third slide added to the structure; a spray pad area is planned for the kiddie pool area; and a brand-new building for offices, locker rooms and bathrooms is planned to replace the current one, said Mike Reissner, Director of Recreation, Parks and Community Services.    

Council president James Wendell said members of the council toured Crystal Springs with Reissner a few weeks back to go over the proposed renovations. 

"The time has come for these improvements," he said. 

The last time the park saw improvements was in 1997, Reissner said.

On Monday, the council approved two resolutions permitting the department to go out for bids for architectural firms and to retain an engineering firm on the project. 

Township administrator James White said the project is still in its early stages, and a price tag is not yet known, but they are looking at a "couple million dollars worth of improvements."

Reissner said the park is funded through membership fees, so the renovations will not come from tax dollars.

Councilwoman Denise Contrino said the park had great worth to the township, and called it one of the "gems of East Brunswick to have something like this in our own town."

Contrino asked Reissner to consider scheduling more "Splash Bash" events, which is an event for East Brunswick youth only, with music, games and entertainment at the park.

The Splash Bash scheduled for July 12 was rained out, and the next and final one of the season is scheduled for July 26. 

Reissner said the Splash Bash events have proved "wildly popular," and the department is looking to expand it for coming seasons.