(above, l-r) Township Committeeman Jerry Searfoss; Mayor Patrick Boccio; Freeholder Deputy Director Patricia Walsh; Freeholder Sara Sooy; David and Mary Lewis; Township Committeeman James VanArsdale; Sejal Dave Sharma, director, business development, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset; Tony Cava, president and chief executive officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset; John DiLeo, vice president of finance, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset.
Green Brook Township breaks ground on new Arthur Lewis Park
Green Brook Township celebrated the groundbreaking of its new Arthur Lewis Park on May 22, 2019 with representatives from the Township Committee, the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset and members of the Arthur Lewis Family. The park is on the 11-acre site of the former Green Brook Swim Club. The new park will include playgrounds for all ages, a large spray park, fitness court, renovated basketball and handball courts, a new sand volleyball court and pavilion and is expected to be open this fall.
The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently approved special open space funding of $1.5 million for the creation of Arthur Lewis Park. In addition to the park development funding, the Board of Chosen Freeholders contributed funding for the purchase of the property in 2017.
Freeholder Deputy Director Patricia Walsh, former Green Brook Mayor and long time resident, spoke about the park’s namesake, Arthur Lewis, who was one of the founding members of the former Green Brook Swim Club, was a former Mayor of Green Brook and was involved in and served in leadership positions for many local organizations such as the Green Brook Lions Club and Green Brook Seniors. “He was a true gentleman and one of the most giving and enthusiastic members of our community, right up to the end and it is so fitting that this park will bear his name. The park will be a true gem in Green Brook and will serve County residents well with active recreational opportunities.”
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, has donated $70,000 to the Township of Green Brook to sponsor the National Fitness Campaign’s Fitness Court™ in the new park. The Fitness Court is a free outdoor gym that features exercise equipment for circuit training and digital fitness challenges. In addition to sponsoring the Fitness Court, the hospital plans to hold exercise classes and healthy food demonstrations throughout the year.
“We are committed to promoting the health of our communities and are proud to sponsor this new Fitness Court to make it easier for people to exercise and lead a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Tony Cava, president and chief executive officer of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset.
Mayor Patrick Boccio, on behalf of the Green Brook Township Committee, thanked those attending the groundbreaking ceremony and expressed gratitude to the Freeholders and the Hospital for their generous support. “Arthur Lewis Park will be a one-of-a kind recreational destination for Green Brook, the County and beyond.”
