News

IMPROVED PLAYGROUND IN STONE HARBOR RE-OPENS FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Formal opening ceremony set for June 14

STONE HARBOR, N.J. — (MAY 23, 2025)—Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend and start of the summer season, Stone Harbor’s improved 96^th Street playground will be available for borough residents and visitors to use this weekend. The park was closed last year due to deteriorated equipment and related safety concerns.

This weekend’s playground access will introduce the facility’s improvements before a formal inauguration set for June 14.

The playground improvements include new slides, benches, and other equipment and surface modifications.  While the new equipment is now available for use, construction and installation work continues on adjacent bocce and basketball courts which are expected to be ready in time for the June 14 ceremony.

A second phase of improvements is planned for later this year with construction of a new recreation office and public restrooms. The improvements are largely funded by a $1.2 million grant from Cape May County.

Mayor Tim Carney acknowledged the support of borough council, Cape May County and construction crews, all of whom worked to complete as many site improvements as possible in time for the holiday weekend. “Everyone will enjoy the improvements completed to date, and we can look forward to more progress in the next few weeks and through the year,” he predicted.

“Our formal ceremony next month will showcase the full extent of improvements and the efforts of so many people who made it possible.”

Borough Council Member Victor Foschini, chair of the council’s Recreation and Tourism committee, applauded progress in returning the playground to public access.  “We wanted to  have this facility ready to go in time for our peak season, and we’re delighted to achieve that goal,” he said.

Reconstruction of another playground at 82nd Street will likely begin after the summer season with completion expected before year-end.  That site will feature an all-inclusive “Jake’s Place” playground, designed to accommodate people of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents, and all abilities, including people with physical handicaps or disabilities.

Borough engineering firm DiBlasio & Associates is coordinating design and construction work for both locations.

STONE HARBOR’S NEW PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR PREPARES FOR SUMMER WITH MIX OF EXPERIENCE, PERSONALITY AND MOTIVATION “TO SERVE THIS PLACE WE LOVE”

“Everyone knows ‘Rocky…’”

STONE HARBOR, N.J.—The annual ritual of preparing for summer is well underway at Jersey Shore towns and beaches and countless households planning their summer getaways. Shorts and t-shirts, bathing suits, sandals, beach towels, umbrellas and chairs, reservations, badges—it’s all part of the seasonal do-list.

And in many municipal buildings, as well as households, all those details are managed by a reliable manager who’s organized, instinctively knows priorities, assigns tasks, keeps the checklist and makes sure everything is ready for days or weeks of sun and surf.  Seeing the big picture, and sweating the small stuff, with a smile, is a prized skill set—and a big responsibility.

It’s also an apt job description in Stone Harbor, where Francisco “Rocky” Tirado has embraced the responsibility for many aspects of a whole town’s summer season.  Appointed director of public works on April 15, Rocky now leads the borough’s public works team of 38 full-time staffers and 28 part-time, seasonal employees .

He sees the big picture of a manicured town loved by residents and visitors who rely on his department for storm impacts or street repairs. And he takes care of the small stuff that many people never see, like vehicle repairs, trash pickup, park and beach maintenance and special services for a full calendar of community special events. There’s no job too big or too small.

Rocky knows this territory perhaps better than most, because, over his 37 years in Stone Harbor, he’s worked in nearly every section of the public works department including buildings, solid waste, carpentry, electrical and other specialties—even computer systems. Before his appointment as director, he served as assistant director, foreman and shop steward.  Since his hiring in 1988, he “rose through the ranks” through a series of promotions leading to the top job.  Along the way, “we work with every department” from police and fire to utilities and administration.

No doubt part of Rocky’s success comes from his affable, outgoing personality. His years of experience and frequent banter with residents and visitors have made him a public ambassador for the borough and valued member of the Stone Harbor community at large.  As one borough council member remarked, “everyone knows Rocky.”

Rocky’s career progression is built on his family background with the help of mentors along the way.  A native of Puerto Rico, he moved to the U.S. mainland at age 20, settling in Cape May Court House near other family members who had already relocated.  A job referral to the former Sawyer Electric in Cape May Court House started his career with an electrical focus. Soon after, another referral to Stone Harbor brought him to his lifelong career—and ambition.

Did he always aspire to lead the Borough’s public works department? “I didn’t expect some doors to open, but with a combination of the right people, the right place and the right opportunities,” he’s forged a successful career in Stone Harbor.  “People in Stone Harbor love and care about their town and have very high standards” for what they want it to be, he explains. Their trust is a perhaps his most important motivator.

And, while Borough leadership has undergone many changes over his 37 years’ employment, elected officials and staff members have clearly trusted him, too.  “I’m an open book,” he says. “I’ll give advice to the mayor just as I would to any resident or visitor.

“Every day, I try to do what’s best for the town and work by the rules, always to be truthful and consistent. It’s an honor to serve this place we love.”

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NEW MUNICIPAL CLERK APPOINTED IN STONE HARBOR

Duties include public records management, council agendas, election supervision, legal notices

STONE HARBOR, N.J. — (May 9, 2025)—Stone Harbor Borough Council has appointed a new borough clerk to manage public records, public meeting agendas and legal notices, overseeing municipal elections and ensuring legal and regulatory compliance in all municipal functions.

The new clerk, Jeanne M. Parkinson, begins her duties May 19. She succeeds Emily Dillon who accepted a similar position in another municipality last month.

Parkinson served as City Clerk in the City of Millville, Cumberland County, for nine years through 2024. Earlier this year, she was appointed deputy clerk in Ocean City, Cape May County.

She holds state certifications of Registered Municipal Clerk and Certified Municipal Registrar, and has been an active leader within the Cumberland County Municipal Clerks Association, serving as both vice president and treasurer. Her expertise spans the full breadth of clerk responsibilities, from records retention and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) compliance to licensing, contract oversight, and agenda preparation.

Stone Harbor Council President Jennifer Gensemer highlighted Parkinson’s qualifications. “She has demonstrated exceptional skill in managing public meetings with precision and respect for parliamentary procedure, overseeing elections with integrity, and ensuring full legal compliance in all municipal functions.”

Gensemer added, “Beyond her impressive resume, Ms. Parkinson has consistently shown dedication to transparency, accountability, and customer service — values that are essential to the role of Borough Clerk and to the relationship between the public and their government.”

Parkinson also acknowledged Borough leadership. “It is an honor and privilege to serve the Borough of Stone Harbor as Municipal Clerk,” she said. “I look forward to providing the governing body, residents, and visitors with transparency, respect, and unwavering integrity. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.”

Statement from the Borough of Stone Harbor on the Passing of Robert Brewer

The Borough of Stone Harbor is deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Robert David Brewer, a valued member of our community and a longtime employee of our Public Works Department. Robert passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, at the age of 57.

For 16 years, Robert served the Borough with dedication, care, and integrity as Supervisor of the Solid Waste, Beaches/Streets, and Auto departments within Public Works. His steadfast commitment to the safety, cleanliness, and well-being of our town left a meaningful and lasting impact on both his colleagues and our residents.

“Robert was genuinely liked and well-respected by all Borough employees,” said Bunny Parzych, Stone Harbor Committee Chair of Public Works. “But most especially by those who worked with him daily in Public Works. He will be greatly missed.”

Outside of his professional role, Robert also gave his time selflessly as a member of the Dennis Volunteer Fire Company and the NJ Forest Fire Service. His service-oriented spirit, friendly demeanor, and generous nature made him a beloved figure throughout Cape May County.

We extend our deepest condolences to Robert’s family, especially his sister Cheryl and his stepchildren Meghan, Gianna, Kassandra, and Peyton. He will be dearly missed, but his contributions to Stone Harbor and the legacy of his good nature and dedication will be remembered always.

TWO STONE HARBOR PLAYGROUNDS TO RE-OPEN WITH NEW EQUIPMENT, ALL-INCLUSIVE DESIGN AND ACCESSIBILITY

County and State Grants Support Construction

STONE HARBOR, N.J.—(May 5, 2025)—Construction projects at two Stone Harbor playgrounds that were unavailable last year will soon restore both for public use, with one set for reopening before the summer season.  Reconstruction of the other playground will likely begin after the summer season with completion expected before year-end.

Both projects are largely funded by a $1.2 million grant from Cape May County and a $750,000 grant announced last month by the State Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres program, respectively.

At the borough’s 96^th Street playground, new slides, benches and other equipment have been installed, a basketball court has been expanded to regulation size and bocce courts improved.  While a temporary surface allows safe access, a new, permanent surface will be installed in the coming week. A new recreation building with restrooms is also planned for the site with construction to begin later this year.

The borough’s new “Jake’s Place” playground is planned for the 82^nd Street recreation complex. All-inclusive Jake’s Place playgrounds are designed to accommodate people of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents, and all abilities, including people with physical handicaps or disabilities.

The Jake’s Place playground concept is named for a Camden County toddler who suffered from a rare cardiac medical condition which limited his accessibility to many typical playground components.  Jake’s Place playgrounds have since been built in Cherry Hill and Delran.

Both the 96^th Street and 82nds Street playgrounds were closed last year due to deteriorated equipment and related safety concerns.

Stone Harbor Mayor Tim Carney predicted heavy use of both refurbished playgrounds. “Residents and visitors alike value Stone Harbor’s recreation opportunities including those beyond our pristine beaches.  These playground improvements will help to meet the recreation needs of families and people of all ages and physical abilities.”  He acknowledged County and State financial support, and thanked the borough council for their commitment to the borough’s recreation facilities.

Borough Council Member Victor Foschini, chair of the council’s Recreation and Tourism committee, welcomed both playgrounds’ prospective re-opening. “Restoring these recreation facilities has been a top priority for our committee and it benefits the entire borough and all of our visitors,” he explained.

“Our 96th Street playground will be ready in time for the summer season, with the 82^nd Street park soon to follow with its pioneering, all-inclusive design. Both facilities will make our recreation program more complete and more inviting.”

Borough engineering firm DiBlasio & Associates is coordinating design and construction work for both locations.