Plans in works for new park BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR. Staff Writer HOWELL - If you build it, they will come. At least according to Freewood Acres resident Kerry Williams. For more than three years, the Township Council, the Recreation Advisory Committee and citizens groups have tried to secure a park for the Freewood Acres residential development. Difficulty in securing land and planning for the use of the space made the task difficult. But now, with plans complete and the council's approval, the park will soon become a reality. The park spans 23 acres, with 6 usable acres for recreation space on Smith Avenue, off Hulses Road. The prospect of a new recreation site has Williams, a resident advocate and important piece in the process, very excited. He believes the basketball courts, walking trails and open space will serve his community well since "Freewood Acres is the only development that does not have a park," he said. The council voted 4-0 at its Sept. 12 meeting held at Howell Middle School South to approve a resolution that will result in the construction of the Free-wood Acres park. Councilwoman Cynthia Schomaker was absent. Township Manager Thomas Czer-niecki said significant movement on the project was made when a community workshop meeting challenged residents with a mapping exercise and questionnaire on how the park should look. Designs were scored and the plan was finalized. Deputy Township Manager Helene Schlegel said the Freewood Acres park will cost the township $171,000, but an $82,000 Monmouth County open space program grant will be applied for. Schlegel said Howell officials could not ask for the full amount. "We can only ask for 50 percent of the engineer's cost," she said, adding that $150,000 was appropriated for the project in Howell's 2005 capital budget. Schlegel said the project should be completed by the late summer of 2007. Mayor Joseph DiBella applauded the work done by Williams, Schlegel and Czerniecki, although he was discouraged that the project has taken so long to get off the ground. "We are grateful for your vision and leadership," he said to Williams. "It just seems like we could build Central Park faster than this." "Unfortunately, the process takes a little longer than we would like," Schlegel said. Regardless, resident Jeff Pritchard, who lives in the Ramtown section of Howell - far from Freewood Acres - said the park is a testament to the township's willingness to appease its residents. "Congratulations to everyone on this project," Pritchard said. "I think it's a fantastic project. The great brainstorming was really inspiring."