The Township purchased in late 2013 land for its second community park and other municipal uses. The 67 acre White Property is located along Route 401 at the intersection of Walnut Lane – close to the intersection of Routes 401 and 113.
As a first step in the ultimate development of the site, a Park Master Plan is being developed for the property. This plan will take about a year to complete and will outline a vision for the property that shows the facilities to be developed, what portions of the property will remain open, expected development costs and future operating expenses. The Board of Supervisors has selected a Park Planning firm (YSM Landscape Architects) to oversee the preparation of the plan guided by a twelve member study committee.
A major part of the plan preparation consisted of the solicitation of public input. Two public workshops were held with over 100 participants and and an online survey was conducted between May and September 2014 to solicit comments. Over 161 citizens provided their input through this process. The first workshop gathered resident input on recreation needs in the community and ideas for the park. The second workshop presented a pre-final version of the park plan to the public for further input.
Smaller focus group meetings and interviews/surveys with key stakeholders were also conducted in the plan’s development. This outreach l included immediately adjacent landowners, sports groups, conservation organizations, and homeowner associations.
The Plan Task Force continues to work with the consultants to refine the plan and prepare cost estimates for development and maintenance schedules for the facilities provided. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public meeting sometime in late 2014 or early 2015 to solicit final input before considering adoption of the Master Plan.
