IDavilyikecord sor April 28, 2008 Summer opening planned for $3.7M rec facility Skating rinks, ball fields coming to Greystone site in Parsippany By Michael Daigle Daily Record Morris County officials say a $3.7 million recreation facility is expected to be ‘completed by this summer on the county-owned land that once was part of Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Parsippany. Plans at the site for offices of nonprofit agencies to fill the Central Avenue complex also are moving forward, they said. In addition, discussion with potential tenants for a building left vacant by the demise of the Ange! Connection are continuing, and the demolition of the Curry Building and cafeteria complex is moving forward, they said. Freeholder James Murray, who earlier this month asked that the Curry Building demolition be put on hold while preservation efforts for the building were examined, said this past Wednesday that after a tour of the site, he supported the demolition. He said that trying to save the building would cost too much because of its extensive deterioration. The most notable change in the next few months at the site will be the first use of the twin in-line skating rinks to be operated by the Morris County Park Commission. Park commission executive director David Helmer said the goal is to have a "soft ‘opening’ for the rinks. The facility also will feature ball fields, including a field for use by the Miracle League for handicapped players. Much of the county's 306 acres at Greystone that will not be used for offices are designated for passive recreation. Soccer tourney planned If all goes as planned, an indoor soccer tournament could be held at the outdoor rinks on June 21 and 22, Helmer said. The tourney could draw 1,000 people, he said. County Engineer Stephen Hammond told the freeholder board this past week that the site is taking on the parklike appearance envisioned for it. The contractor has covered the area with stabilization material, and as the work iscompleted, the slopes are turning green. Helmer also noted that the effort to preserve the trees along Central Avenue has added to the parklike setting. Hammond said that work to extend electricity on the site will begin soon. The freeholders approved a $55,616 contract with JCP&L to install the service. The county was forced to replace the utilities on its acreage because the antiquated water, sewer and heating systems were all tied together, including buildings that have been demolished The park commission is also working with the Hanover-based Morris Center YMCA, for use of the Greystone Park facilities by its summer camp program. The camp, which begins after schools get out in June, could use the skating rinks for games, hold field activities and lunches, said Reynold Fauci, park commission recreation director. A building at the Greystone site once used by Angel Connection, a former counseling service for single mothers, has attracted several potential tenants, Freeholder John Murphy said, and discussions with potential tenants of the 80,000- square-foot Central Avenue complex continue, The county plans to turn that building, the only one still in use by the state, into a center for mental health related non-profit agencies. Meanwhile, the opening of the new Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital is delayed for patients as the state completes checks on the new building's security system.