How was the location for the Point of Peace Memorial Park selected? The Stone Harbor Borough Council approved the creation of a special committee that would help select the location and design of the park that would incorporate Stone Harbor’s artifact from the World Trade Center in New York City. Updates on the committee’s work have been provided frequently over the past 18 months during Stone Harbor Council meetings held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at Stone Harbor Borough Hall. The all-volunteer committee considered several other locations for the memorial but decided that the 123rd Street location would be best suited for a memorial and a park. Locations considered were the Water Works lot on 93rd Street, the Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Company, the tennis courts at 96th Street, the Remembrance Garden, the Bird Sanctuary, Third and Second Avenue, and 122nd Street. Mayor Walters suggested the location that was selected.
When was the design for the proposed Point of Peace Memorial Park discussed publically? The design for the park, created by Scott Taylor of Taylor Design Associates, was unveiled during Stone Harbor’s Council meeting on September 4th, 2012. Since that meeting, Council has held over two dozen Council meetings providing the public with an opportunity to comment on the park. Information about the park has been included on the Borough’s website consistently for over a year, information has aired on our public access television station, Channel 2, and the project has been discussed in traditional media and at various public meetings.
How does the Borough intend to finance construction of the park? The Borough has made an application before the Cape May County Open Space Board to solicit full funding for the park. To date, the Borough has contributed more than $5,000,000 in funding to the open space program and has not received any funding in return. Our application was warmly received by the Board, and we expect to get an answer during the October 8th, 2013 Board meeting.
How much will construction of the park actually cost? The construction of the memorial to honor victims and first responders associated with the September 11th, 2001 attack on the United States is estimated to cost $347,000; bathrooms facilities proposed for the site will cost $237,000. The Borough has placed in its budget support funding for design/engineering work for the park and has spent no additional funding on the project.
What happens if the Cape May County Open Space Board does not fully fund the project? The Borough of Stone Harbor will not spend money out of the general fund nor will the Borough bond or borrow any money to finance the construction of the Point of Peace Memorial Park. Anticipated funding from the county’s Open Space program will dictate if this park will be constructed and if the project will be constructed in phases. Once the Borough receives a commitment on funding from the Cape May County Open Space Board, the project immediately moves to the Stone Harbor Administration and Finance Committee for review.
Will the Borough accept a smaller project based on funding amounts and accept public input on a smaller design shall open space funding fall short? Yes. The design of the park can be scaled down if funding amounts are not sufficient. The Borough still can provide a public park for personal reflection and tribute on a smaller scale.
What other funding opportunities are possible? The Borough has established a donation program with a direct mail piece to all property owners, providing them an opportunity to sponsor the memorial at the Point of Peace Park. Donations are placed into a special fund created by the Borough; any donations will go towards any costs associated with the construction of the park but will not go towards construction of bathroom facilities shall they occur. All donations are tax-deductible. Stone Harbor will actively seek “in-kind” donations of materials and services that are typically available during construction of September 11th memorials throughout the state.
Will the Borough be responsible for the day to day maintenance and upkeep needed at the park? Yes, the park will be maintained by the Stone Harbor Department of Public Works, much like all other public places the department maintains.
Is the park compliant with all land restrictions and regulations with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection? Yes.
What are the advantages of creating this park at 123rd Street and Second Avenue and not at another location, perhaps in our downtown district? This location already is the home of a memorial garden established by the Stone Harbor Garden Club. This project transforms a highly used parking lot in one of the Borough’s most beautiful areas and transforms it into a passive park. Thousands of families visit this area each year at one of our most popular beach access points. The intent is to not only further beautify the area but also provide opportunities for children to see the park and the artifact and engage in conversations with their parents about the sacrifice, bravery, and honor associated with the events of that fateful day.
