Scouts Recognized for Sprucing Up Old Wharf Park

This time last summer, Christine McArdle, 14, and sisters Lauren, 14, and Brooke Harrigan, 13, were busy painting picnic tables and planting flowers in their effort to spruce up Oceanport's Old Wharf Park as part of their Girl Scout Silver Award Project.

One year later, the butterfly garden is in full bloom, shuffleboard and bocce ball courts have been repainted and Goose Patrol Dogs have been installed to help deter geese at the waterfront park.

Oceanport's mayor and council recognized the three girls at the Aug. 14 workshop meeting for their efforts. The entire project cost $1,284, of which the girls raised $755 through car washes and bake sales. The council funded the remaining $529.

Other improvements to Old Wharf Park made by the scouts included:

• Picnic tables and benches freshly painted throughout park;
• Three shaded picnic areas established;
• Flowers added to landscaping;
• Landscaping bordered with river rock;
• Shuffleboard and bocce ball courts repainted and locked bin installed containing equipment and checker sets;
• Tables installed along water's edge.

The scouts also made recommendations to the borough for additional improvements to the park:

• Plant cord grass along the edge of water to deter geese from entering the park;
• Remove "No dogs allowed; children's play area" sign and instead encourage dog walking to help deter geese.
• Mulch butterfly garden and hydrangeas seasonally.

In a letter the teens wrote to the council upon completion of the project, they wrote, "We hope that you find the renovations we completed budget-friendly, as well as something that the citizens of Oceanport and their guests can enjoy for years to come."