Rec. advocates unite; take mission to the Web

BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer

SOUTH RIVER - A group of residents has set out to improve parks and recreation in the borough.

The Friends of South River Parks was founded last September with the mission of supporting and enhancing the town's recreational offerings. The group will augment the efforts of the borough's Parks and Recreation Department, which operates on a limited budget.

South River Recreation Director Karen Cuomo noted that her department is not allowed to do any fundraising because it is a government agency.

"The [Friends of South River Parks] group can do fundraising and get things to better our parks," Cuomo said. "Budgets and money are not able to cover everything that needs be done."

Nicholas Vignapiano, the webmaster for Friends of South River Parks, said that while the group's newly developed Web site is still under construction, it has features up that allow visitors to learn how to join the group. It also posts the schedule of the parks advisory board and lists activities in town.

The group is looking for suggestions from residents and visitors for the Web site, Vignapiano said, adding that he is looking for photographs of the various park areas and past recreation events in town.

South River resident Anthony Malgioglio started the new organization in September, and said the group is now at least 100 members strong and counting.

"I really like the town of South River," Malgioglio said. "I have been living here for nine years and it is just a nice, quaint town. I would like to give back to the community."

The first goal of the group is to get its nonprofit status approved by the state, Malgioglio said.

"It is easy to form an association," Malgioglio said. "When you apply for nonprofit status, it is a complicated process. There is a lot of paperwork involved, but I have quite a few people helping."

The organization will serve to support South River's parks and recreation leagues, Malgioglio said.

"I think that the borough is doing a great job," Malgioglio said, "but there are some things that the association could help out with as far as raising money and bringing features that the parks don't already have."

One area Malgioglio is focusing on is increasing the amount of handicap accessible equipment at borough parks, including jungle gyms, swing sets and Braille signs for those who are visibly impaired.

He said he would also like to see a sprinkler attraction in the borough, with a rubberized surface so that it can be handicap accessible for a child on a wheel chair to roll through.

"It is just to help children who I know are out there," Malgioglio said. "The best thing about that type of equipment is that it benefits everyone. We as a society need to learn to accept everybody with all abilities and all talents."

To learn more about the organization, visit its Web site at www.friendsofsouthriverparks.com.