During the September 19 council meeting, Councilwoman Goldberg suggested an ordinance to create a new Fields Advisory Board and presented this as a reflection of the Fields Committee in Ridgewood. The councilwoman appears to be misinformed. The Committee in Ridgewood was adopted by resolution, and not a municipal ordinance or enacted into the code. Its primary purpose is to ensure communication between local organizations and facilitate scheduling. Teaneck, on the other hand, recently implemented a new permitting system, and through the efforts of former Mayor Dunleavy to codify field-use prioritization, local teams and organizations have dedicated access to fields and facilities through effective coordination with the department of recreation.

As was reflected by council members, as a courtesy to the Parks, Playgrounds, and Recreation Advisory Board [PPRAB] board members and township employees, this suggestion could have been initiated as an agenda item to discuss any concerns and revisit goals. The advisory board would then work with the council liaison on a plan to react and improve how we serve the community and coordinate recommendations to Council.

On a personal note, I would like to use this opportunity to note that the PPRAB reflects diversity across the community, including various organizations, stakeholder groups and cohorts. We not only work closely with the recreation and DPW departments to monitor, report, document and advise council of programs and projects through our liaison, but many are also active members within organizations and get our hands dirty as coaches, officials, board members and parents. We invest time and sweat volunteering and physically helping to tend to fields in order to make sure that our neighbors have safe fields and recreation facilities.

Avi Berliner
Member, Teaneck Parks, Playgrounds and Recreation Advisory Board