This month’s issue of the New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM) Magazine – the premier media outlet for New Jersey governmental officials, employees and vendors – features a dedicated two page spread highlighting Lakewood’s unique improvements to North Lake Park and the “truly herculean speed” at which they were implemented.
It was just over a year ago when Lakewood Township completed a comprehensive renovation of North Lake Park – located on North Lake Drive – with the installation of brand new, modern swings and slides.
This milestone was celebrated by the park’s users, but it didn’t take long for some of the critique to be shared: The park and its new equipment get very hot over the summer.
Discomfort, sweat, sunburn and more made the park uncomfortable, especially for the kids. The park’s picturesque setting overlooking Lake Carasaljo means little natural shade and stronger-than-usual sunshine.
Mayor Ray Coles; Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller; and other Township Committee members; DPW Director Phil Roux; DPW Project Manager Tony Arecchi; Township Engineer Tony Poklasny; and others in Lakewood Township government immediately went back to the drawing board.
Fast forward to Spring/Summer 2025, and the park has unique, colorful shade sails towering above its equipment. These hurricane proof sails protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays and keep the park’s equipment and users cooler. In addition, a new rubberized floor was installed across the playground – softer, cooler and prick-less.
The park’s users have been raving…
You won’t find this type of equipment in other municipal parks in our area, but Lakewood officials listened to constituents; thought out of the box; and cut through red tape. Fast.
The pages of NJLM Magazine are read by thousands of members and representatives of New Jersey’s 564 municipal governments.
Mayor Coles says that it’s an honor for Lakewood to be featured in this light. “As the fourth largest municipality in the State, with record population and business growth, Lakewood is inherently a focal point in New Jersey government,” he says. “It is humbling to serve as role model of how government can grow and adapt, but still maintain a nimble, grassroots operation to improve quality-of-life for our residents.”
“Lakewood is a very big town, with big accomplishments, and, at times, big challenges,” says Deputy Mayor Miller. “Yet ultimately, when a local mother takes her children to the park on a sunny afternoon, it is the so-called ‘little things’ that will make the greatest difference between an exciting experience and a potentially unpleasant one. This is something that we remain committed to always be mindful of.”
This NJLM Magazine article comes just several months after the organization held its annual conference and expo, New Jersey’s flagship event of its kind. Lakewood Township served as the event’s co-sponsor and featured the largest – and busiest – municipal booth at the massive event.
