Borough Engineer Awarded for Park, Pool Project

Vincent J. DeNave, the engineer for Chatham Borough, was awarded second place in Municipal Construction Management Projects by The New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers (NJSME).

The award was given to DeNave for his oversight of the improvements to Memorial Park and Pool, construction of which began in December 2011 and ended in May 2012.

A release from the NJSME said, "DeNave's public construction management project and approach to consensus, through collaborative community cooperation," helped make the project a success and DeNave's efforts worthy of recognition.

Improvements to the park included installing a new childrens pool on the same level as the fullsized pool. The childrens pool is 40 percent larger than the previous one, and is a zero-entry pool with a large water-feature in the center and smaller water features at the entrance.

The deck all around the ADA-accessible fullsized pool and childrens pool was expanded and repaved to make them slip-resistant and heat-resistant. New fencing was put around the pool and included a new privacy screening. New filters, skimmers, drains and tiles were also installed, along with piping improvements.

The athletic fields were also redesigned and regraded to include two softball fields which can be used simultaneously, and a multiuse field between. These softball fields now have better drainage and new dugout and backstop areas.

The basketball court was also repaved and repainted through donations from the Chatham Athletic Foundation, and new swings, fencing and play structures were installed in the playground.

A demonstration rain garden was also installed near the childrens pool. Overall the project cost $901,000.

Since the pool opened in summer 2012 after its improvements, membership has increased nearly 100 percent over summer 2011.

The complex also includes Memorial Park, which has memorials to borough residents who have died in the nation's wars, the 9-11 Memorial and the Library of the Chathams.

The award luncheon takes place at noon Wednesday at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick.

NJSME is a nonprofit professional organization for municipal engineers within New Jersey. Their annual award ceremony recognizes civil engineers who provide outstanding support to their localities in the planning, construction and maintenance of structures or public works, as they relate to earth, water, or civilization and their processes.  This includes roads, traffic controls, structures, water supply, sewers, flood control, and other remedial environmental solutions.