Dir. Dept. of Recreation Kenny Ortiz

“I would like to fix what is broken now.” – Kenny Ortiz

PERTH AMBOY – At the February 25, 2013 Caucus Meeting Dept. of Recreation Director Kenny Ortiz went before the Council with a list of repairs needed in various City Parks.

Ortiz said that Girls Softball, Football and Soccer are growing in Perth Amboy. “Tennis is making a huge comeback again. We are diligently looking for grants and even going to Washington D.C. to advocate for funding for urban parks. We are also working with soccer leagues. At the tennis courts we are removing surface, fencing and lighting. Councilman Bill Petrick said that when you go out for bids sometimes when certain lighting is requested only certain companies can provide for those specifications. Water Stadium is heavily used and we need a second venue.”

“At the Francis Street Park the Jewish Renaissance Foundation gets funding to replace equipment, courts and fencing,” Ortiz continued.

Councilman Bill Petrick encouraged Ortiz to reach out to businesses and corporate sponsors for funding for parks.

Ortiz responded, “We’re not only looking to corporations for funding but I am also asking them to send volunteers for park cleanups.”

“The Jewish Renaissance reaches out to corporate sponsors for equipment and maintenance. We also need to provide synthetic turf for the youth field,” Ortiz continued.

Public works director Frank Dann said that Caledonia’s playground surface has been patched several times and is beyond re-patching. “A new surface needs to be installed.