New LaGrande Park playground officials unveiled

(above Top row, left to right): Rec Commissioner Rosa Mannarino; Rec Commmissioner Mike Lowenthal; Council president Jeff Banks; Rec Commissioner Mike Kelly; Rec Director Bob Budiansky; Rec Commissioner Neil Pierce; Officer Sean Murphy. Bottom row, left to right: Councilwoman Trisha Walsh; Rec Commissioner Arlene Ross; County Commissioner Al Mirabella; Mayor Colleen Mahr; Councilwoman Gina Berry; Rec Commissioner Venessa White; Officer Mike Rusin

New playground officials unveiled

Mayor Colleen Mahr was joined by members of the Fanwood Recreation Commission and Borough Council today in cutting the ribbon for the new and improved playground at LaGrande Park.

The project was completed in mid-February and local families have already been using it. Improvements over the former 27-year-old playground include an expansion of the playground area, all new play equipment including swings, slides, climbing structures, and other attractions for children of all ages and those with special needs, new benches and new mulch substrate. New trees will be planted in the spring.

(above) Playground under construction January 6, 2023

“It’s beautiful,” said Mayor Mahr, addressing the Recreation Commission. “Every one of you should be proud. “It’s really nice to see the next generation of LaGrande Park.”

The $215,000 project was constructed by MRC Recreation of Spring Lake, NJ, and was financed by a Union County grant, the Fanwood Recreation Trust Fund and the Borough of Fanwood.

Among those joining Mayor Mahr at the event were Council President Jeff Banks, Council members Gina Berry and Trisha Walsh, Union County Commissioner Al Mirabella, Recreation Director Bob Budiansky, Recreation Commissioners Venessa White, Michael Lowenthal, Rosa Mannarino, Arlene Ross, Mike Kelly and Neil Pierce and police officers Mike Rusin and Sean Murphy.

(above) Top row, Rec Commissioners Venessa White and Mike Lowenthal; sitting on steps Rec Dir. Bob Budiansky; Left of steps Rec Commissioners Neil Pierce and Arlene Ross; Right of steps Rec Commissioners Mike Kelly and Rose Mannarino
(above) Father and daughter, Andrew and June, 21 months, of Westfield on the swing