Plans approved for park on Long Branch Ave. Manahassett Creek Park will add 20 acres of open space in city BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer LONG BRANCH - The City Council took action last week to approve plans for the estimated $3.5 million Manahassett Creek Park to be constructed on Long BranchAvenue. Council adopted resolution 61-08 at the Feb. 13 municipal meeting, approving the plans that were designed by engineering firmD.W. SmithAssociates LLC for the city park. Plans call for athletic fields, a walking path, a recreation center and parking lots to be constructed at the 13-acre site, according toDirector of Community and EconomicDevelopment Jacob L. Jones. "We met with residents, sports groups and department heads to address city needs," Jones said at the Feb. 13 workshop meeting. "I think we came up with a plan that will add 20 acres to our open space inventory." The city is expected to go out to bid for the project this week, according to Tim Lurie, a principal with D.W. Smith. "Wewould like to advertise for the project on Feb. 29 and award the bid onMarch 25," Lurie said at the meeting. "I think with today's economywith the housingmarket so slow, we could get the best price for the project right now. "The contractor could start the project 30 days after we award the bid," Lurie said, adding that it will take approximately one year for the project to be completed. The city is required to award the bid to the lowest "responsible" bidder, City BusinessAdministratorHowardH. Woolley said. The park is bordered to the west by Narragansett Avenue, to the east by Long BranchAvenue, to the south by NaberalAvenue, and to the north by Bay Avenue, according to Jones. Plans call for the park to include two high school soccer fields, a middle school soccer field, a senior league baseball field, a football field, a softball field, Little League fields, four tennis courts, two basketball courts, a putting green area, a play area for children, and an exercise/running track. Also planned for the site is a 1,600- to 2,000-square-foot recreational buildingwith ameeting space, a concession stand and outside eating area. Plans also include 110 to 125 parking spaces to be constructed in two parking lots on the site, security lighting and a buffer area between the park and the surrounding neighborhood. "You did a really nice job,"Councilwoman Mary JaneCelli said to Lurie at themeeting.