Wrecked gazebo in Firemen’s Park. Photos by Mary Walton
By Paul Goldfinger
On Wednesday, Mr. Wayne Rode, Director of the Neptune Township Public Works Department, announced that he will see to it that the Firemen’s Park gazebo, which had been destroyed by vandals this past Sunday, will be replaced.
Mr. Rode had received a call last Sunday morning from the police regarding the trashing of the gazebo. He immediately dispatched one of his men, George Reid, to go to the Grove and inspect the wreckage. Mr. Reid determined that the gazebo could not be salvaged and was unsafe. Workers were called in on overtime and quickly removed the debris to a land fill.
Neptune Public Works responds quickly.
Mr. Rode was not a member of the department when the gazebo was installed by public works. He checked with some of his department veterans and learned that Home Depot had “reached out to the township and offered it.” There is no official file on this in Mr. Rode’s office. No one could verify the rumor that the gazebo had been placed in honor of someone’s memory. There was no plaque.
Mr. Rode was especially upset that this destruction was at the expense of the school kids who assemble at the corner of Main Avenue and New Jersey Avenue to wait for the bus with their parents. He said, “That got me upset the most.” The gazebo had offered protection from rain and snow as well as a place where the children could huddle together from the cold. Mr. Rode vowed that “one way or another, it will be replaced.”
Currently Mr. Rode is conferring with township officials regarding how to finance a replacement, including making an insurance claim. He said, “I’m optimistic that we can make it happen.”
I would certainly make a contribution to help fund the gazebo. A little from many of us can make a difference.
The Township can find the money somewhere. It shouldn’t come from the homeowners.
I’ll help rebuild it, on week-ends… I can’t believe no one heard the noise. Wwe really need CAMERAS in all the parks, boardwalk, etc. Tired of listening to these politicians tell us why they can’t afford them when we are paying the highest taxes and receive nothing from Neptune.
If I remember Mary Beth told us cameras were not in the budget for O.G. but what is in the budget and don’t tell me Broadway. When was the last time a street was paved in town? We are the last to be plowed during the winter. Time to make a stand and make us heard in Neptune.
I keep saying stop being like passive sheep and make O.G. heard and respected from Neptune.
How is it possible that no one heard this? There’s a police depot right there…what is going on??
Several people have been amazed that no one heard noise when the gazebo was destroyed. But many of the surrounding houses belong to summer residents, who were not here. On our nearby block of Mt. Hermon Way, only one home is occupied full time, year round — ours. Just one way O.G. is feeling the impact of the trend toward second-home buyers.
Our household would be willing to make a contribution. Could there be fundraisers so the cost doesn’t fall on the backs of the homeowners? Also it would be good to raise some extra money to cover the cost for the gazebo base to be made of cement/cinder blocks so it is secured to the ground.
excellent ideas
Mary Lou: There is no police station right there. The only police substation in OG is next to Thornley Chapel. Did you ever see a house collapse during a demolition? It doesn’t make a lot of noise. The gazebo was a small wooden structure that could have been turned over and then collapse on itself without much noise. There were year-round neighbors nearby who heard nothing. They were probably asleep with their windows closed. It’s been chilly at night lately.
You’re right, Gosh. When will we ever get the cameras? We need people in office that are for the betterment of O.G.
Around that park there are at least 7 year-round homes, and no, none of us heard a thing. We are all in and out at all hours. Please don’t let the impression be that we aren’t paying attention, because we are. We watch, we listen, we call. But whoever was in the mood to toss that gazebo up and over, they were pretty quiet. Most likely happy (sub. drunk) after a night on the town. I know of 2 people who were out there, either coming home or walking dogs, between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., and neither saw anything out of order. I guess you just have to be in the right place at the right time.
Thanks for the insight, Paul and Meredith. I can see now why no one knew of it. On my block, I hear everything. I’m known to have *sses ears…LOL. I would certainly be willing to make a contribution towards a new gazebo…especially one with a cement base.
Where are the police in Ocean Grove? Do the criminals know Ocean Grove is an easy target? Why are there not more arrests in Ocean Grove?