Bristol Approves $6 Million Recreation Plan; Selects Spot For Fire Station

Bristol Borough Council unveiled an ambitious $6 million plan Tuesday night to overhaul the municipality’s recreation and infrastructure.

The proposal was developed in partnership with engineering firm Gilmore and Associates.

“Our playgrounds haven’t been upgraded in I don’t know how long,” said Council President Ralph DiGiuseppe. “When you see what we’re going to do tonight, I think everybody’s going to be happy.”

To speed up the process, council members authorized the borough manager to begin seeking construction bids through the procurement system.

DiGiuseppe said the $6 million price tag is being funded by the borough as a one-time expense.

While the project will take place in phases, the borough could begin work in playgrounds and the Otter Street fields within months.

A portion of the project focuses on the Otter Street athletic fields.

Borough Engineer Kurt Schroeder said the site will receive a new paved parking lot with controlled access, perimeter lighting for evening play, and a concession facility that will include storage and potentially restrooms.

The new lighting system is designed for flexibility across various sports configurations rather than strictly following national athletic standards.

Councilmember Greg Pezza said the addition of lights is critical for the town’s expanding youth sports programs.

“This will basically double the amount of practice time and game time and programming that we can possibly have,” Pezza said.

The plan also includes a complete resurfacing of the spur line trail. The work will feature root barriers to prevent future damage, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and a trail extension that connects back to Radcliffe Street to create a full loop.

All four borough playgrounds—Otter Street, Trenton Avenue, Pond Street, and Wilson Spruce—are slated for total equipment replacement.

Will Hemmer, of contractor General Recreation, said the designs move away from “static play” in favor of “unscripted” experiences.

The new sites will feature net climbing structures, inclusive spinners, and multi-generational swings. Each park will have unique equipment to encourage “play pilgrimages” throughout the borough, Hemmer noted.

The sites will also be outfitted with security cameras, lighting, and engineered wood fiber surfacing for wheelchair accessibility, Schroeder said.

The most debated aspect of the overhaul involves the proposed location for a new multimillion-dollar fire station as part of a combined fire service.

The borough plans to build the facility on open space off Jefferson Avenue, a move that requires relocating the Adams Hollow Community Garden and three basketball courts.

The garden and courts will move to a site between the current garden and the Bristol Borough High School track.

Borough engineer Amanda Fuller said the new garden will be significantly larger. It will feature 158 plots, ADA-accessible raised beds, and a 50-space shared parking lot.

Steve Reeves, president of the Bristol Borough Fire Association, said a state study identified the Jefferson Avenue site as optimal for response times.

“We’re not here to take something away from you. We’re here just to build something better,” Reeves said.

The choice of location sparked pushback from some residents.

Shea Cialella, whose property backs up to the proposed station location, voiced concerns regarding noise and the lack of a finalized building design.

“I’m in support of combining (fire stations),” Cialella said. “I’m just not in support of it in my backyard, literally.”

Donna McCloskey, coordinator for the community garden, shared support for the new garden facility but lamented the loss of central open space, calling it the “only central park that we have in town.”

DiGiuseppe said several sites were explored for the fire station and this was the only viable option.

“My job sitting here is to protect the residents of this town,” he said, adding that the station’s location is key for long-term public safety.

DiGiuseppe said the borough is working “aggressively” to get the fire station built.

In other business, officials noted that a previously approved expansion of the docks along the Delaware River is expected to begin soon.