Proclaiming the city needs a strong program of recreational activities for its youth and adults, Mayor James Davis held a town-hall meeting on Sept. 30 at Bayonne High School to elicit suggestions from residents, coaches, and other stakeholders.
More than 70 people attended the event in the school’s auditorium.
As part of that effort, Davis announced that an additional $1 million has been obtained to fund an overhaul of fields and other facilities at Don Ahern Veterans Memorial Stadium on Newark Bay.
The mayor said he was advocating was for not just additional sporting opportunities, but non-sports offerings as well. The important thing, Davis said, is that Bayonne’s children and young adults have constructive endeavors through which to channel their energies.
“The more we keep our kids busy, the more they’ll be off the streets,” he said.
Davis said recreational activities were an important part of his youth in Bayonne, as well as in the lives of his three sons.
The Veteran’s Stadium complex project will mainly involve the upgrading of the fields.
“We just got a million-dollar grant which gives us full funding to do the project,” Davis said. “It will involve several fields; it will all be turfed.” The fields will be open to all city residents when not in use by schools or leagues.
Recreation Supervisor Peter Amadeo made a presentation, and Municipal Services Director Robert Wondolowski and longtime school district coach, teacher, and administrator Thomas Jacobsen were on the panel at the meeting.
“The goal of recreation is to bring everyone together,” Amadeo said, mentioning his Saturday morning soccer activities with his son.
“Two years ago we wanted to bring recreation to the next level, and we introduced the ‘Parent & Me’ program,” he said. Amadeo also discussed the successful special-needs sports program initiated last year as another successful effort.
Bayonne’s own Adrienne Goodson, a former WNBA basketball player and Old Dominion University star, pledged her support to the city’s effort at the event. She also talked about the camp she is running that city residents can register for.
“It’s important for people to recognize their resources here in the city,” Goodson said.
Residents voiced concern about parks in need of repair, a scarcity of soccer fields, and fewer organized leagues for their children to participate in.
Jim Mock, a coach for 40-plus years in town cited what he said was a disappointment when it came to city sports programs.
“What I see being neglected are the leagues that are volunteer,” he said.
Mock suggested setting up a youth council, drawing participants from all city leagues.
“Everything I’ve heard is ‘Moving Bayonne Forward,’” he said. “Well you can’t do that without the kids.”
Rich Folger, who just returned to the city after a 20-year absence, offered his services in teaching sports to Bayonne’s youth.
Davis said he and his administration would review all the suggestions and make changes where possible.
E-mail joepass@hudsonreporter.com.