WEST MILFORD Approval was finally given on Wednesday night to proceed with plans to refurbish Mount Laurel Park. The town council reached a consensus to make preparations for the bidding process to commence and put an end to the five years of debate and delay. Plans to redevelop the park began in earnest in 2001 but a combination of objections from local residents and concerns over insurance set the project back time and time again. The decision to include construction of a dedicated skateboard area within the park has created the most excitement, or opposition, depending on which side of the subject was represented. Teenagers, who may not be teenagers any more, appeared several times before the council over the past five years urging it to move forward with plans for the town’s first skate park. Residents, however, were vocal in their stance against the skateboarding arena and submitted a 70-signature petition. Concerns expressed included issues around supervision, insurance, littering, and noise. Skateboarders were equally committed to their side of the argument and appeared en masse at a council meeting in August 2004. Renee Palermo, the town’s Parks and Recreation Director has been behind the project throughout its existence and has supervised the re-drawing of plans on several occasions. Along with the skateboarding area the plans also include moving the current softball field further back off the road, adding new bleachers and restoring the basketball/tennis courts section of the park. Originally the cost of redevelopment was approximately $300,000; however, the estimated funding has risen to $374,102. A Capital Rehabilitation and Restoration Grant from the Passaic County Open Space Preservation Fund for a $150,000 has been awarded to the township for the project. There are fears that delays and changes made in the plans might result in losing the grant. “I’ve spoken to officials at the county open space and they informed that there is no precedent for withdrawing funds because of changes in the plans. I’m not aware of any problems,” said Palermo, assuring the money was still in play. The council was unanimous in its support of starting work at Mount Laurel but Councilman Bob Nolan was less keen on the skate park. Nolan said, “I’m for the rest of the renovations at the park including moving the softball field in off the road. With the pending acquisition of Jungle Habitat I think we’d be better served putting the skate park there; it’s more centrally located.” Fellow council members Joseph Smolinksi and Phil Weisbecker were, however, completely in support of the plans. Smolinksi spoke to defend the maligned skateboarders saying, “They [skateboarders] realize the seriousness of that skateboard park there and I think they’ll take it sincerely that they make it or they break it. I, for one, give the children a chance whether it’s soccer, baseball or football; if there’s a need, we will address it. This will be an asset to the community.” Weisbecker said, “This is something that is necessary. Not to mention changing the softball court because of the sunlight when setting, and the batter trying to hit the ball. This is necessary; this is something that should happen and I’m glad to see it happen.” The council will now put forward a resolution to place the work out to bid. Mount Laurel Park is located on Warwick Turnpike. It is the only public park in Upper Greenwood Lake.