Signage Upgrade Coming to White Lake Park

Written by Michael Daigle

Boy Scout Sebastian Cook received support and advice from Sparta Township officials after he pitched his Eagle Scout project to them.

Cook said he would install a new hand-made wooden road sign at White Lake Park. The project would include landscaping to surround the sign.

Cook said he estimated the project will cost $300, an amount he plans to raise through donations from businesses, friends and family.

The sign would say “White Lake Park, Sparta, N.J., ” include the Sparta Township logo, with the warning, “No Smoking,” Cook said.

He said he planned the sign to be six feet tall and eight feet wide.

Township engineer Eric Powell said that Cook should plan the sign to fit within the township’s sign ordinance, a maximum of 32 square feet, or he might have to apply to the zoning board for permission to install it.

The council offered enthusiastic support.

Councilman Jerry Murphy said he thought the sign was a good idea and suggest Cook speak with the township’s public works department as to the type of  plantings  to place at the bottom of the sign. Murphy said it was important to place something that did not require constant maintenance by the township’s small crew

Councilwoman Christine Quinn suggested that Cook plant saw grass, which required little care.

Mayor Gilbert Gibbs recommended that Cook meet with Powell to review the plans before construction.

Gibbs good-naturedly reminded Cook that if he installed the sign his scout troop would be responsible for the maintenance.

“Under ‘Adopt a Park’ that sign is yours,” Gibbs said.