Playground Updates
In an effort to keep residents abreast of developments in the park planning process, we have contributed articles to the Clinton Town Newsletter, responded to dozens of resident emails/phone calls/social media posts and held a Q&A session.
While listening to residents’ questions and concerns about the parks over the last several months, it has come to our attention that there are a few rumors and pieces of misinformation circulating that repeatedly come up in our conversations. We believe the best decisions are made when a community is accurately informed and involved in the process. In keeping with our commitment to transparency during this project, we would like to dispel some of the rumors that we’ve run into thus far.
Halstead Street Park is only permitted to house playground equipment for young children and “open space.”
The 4-acre tract on Halstead Street owned by Town is zoned as a park and as such can include any amenities found in a park without a variance. That includes but is not limited to playgrounds, athletic courts and skate park, amphitheater, walking paths, athletic fields, pavilion/picnic tables, gardens, dog park and additional parking. While the current playground only caters to young children without disabilities, many residents have understandably also requested the addition of amenities that appeal to children over the age of 7, those with physical and mental disabilities and adults. Gebhardt Field is not open space. It is a 3-acre, non-regulation size baseball field and accompanying historic grandstand that is underutilized in its current form.
The upgraded park will be open late into the night or all hours.
Both parks are currently open dawn to dusk. The existing basketball court is the only amenity with working lights. Those are turned off at 9 p.m. nightly. We are currently not looking to add lighting to the new park plan.
An upgraded park will bring more traffic, and there is not enough parking.
Many locals walk, bike or skate to the park. It is also a gathering space for many visitors from surrounding municipalities, which is important for our town’s economic vitality. The current lot is ample, but the new police station will take over that lot. However, there is additional space between Rachel Court and the existing playground for a gravel lot. Placing a lot here will allow the Water Authority access to their property along the back of the park and protect an existing buffer between Rachel Court and park equipment.
This plan is change for the sake of change.
The playground at Halstead Street Park is more than 30 years old. The apparatuses are deteriorating rapidly, as indicated by our annual risk assessment. In fact, this fall the corkscrew slide had to be removed because wear and tear left a large hole that rendered it unusable. The tennis court has been locked because it is deemed a liability. The entire playground is not wheel-chair accessible or ADA compliant. In short, the park has reached the end of its life expectancy. This is an opportunity to create a more inclusive facility that appeals to residents of all ages and abilities.
For any questions, please contact Councilwoman Megan Johnson at mjohnson@clintonnj.gov.