Carteret, NJ – Mayor Dan Reiman welcomed the Carteret High School’s Freshman class on Friday April 29 for the 2nd installment of the “Adopt a Park” program, a partnership between the Borough and school system through which classes will spend a day “adopting” a designated Carteret park. The program was first introduced in April 2010.
According to Mayor Reiman, the program has been established to foster appreciation for the town’s public resources, among other things;
“At the end of the day, we expect our young adults to see the fruits of their work,” Mayor Reiman stated, “and feel some of the satisfaction that comes from productivity that directly benefits the community. We feel that participants will gain a better appreciation and a little respect for our public resources”
The event took place at Carteret Park, which in addition to cleanup received a facelift through landscaping, including pressure washing decorative stonework along Carteret Pond, and new paint coating for ball field dugouts. Participating students will receive Community Service Certificates, and a plaque commemorating the work and commitment of the CHS class of 2014, who will maintenance the park similarly every year until graduation.
“I am a firm believer that High School students should be required to participate in volunteerism and giving back to their community as a prerequisite for graduation,” Reiman added.
Activities shifted from work to play at noon, with music and sports activities, and a barbeque sponsored by the Carteret Business Partnership, Inc..
“This is a multi-faceted program that will provide a number of benefits to the town” Councilman and Parks Commissioner Vinny Bellino added. “I’m sure our kids will gain a greater respect for our parks, which in turn will become all the more hospitable.”
Carteret High School’s Sophomore class of 2013 will return to Waterfront Park for their “Adopt a Park” work on Friday Ma
