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Posted: Tue, May 6 2008, 11:47 pm EDT Post subject: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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PROPOSED OPEN SPACE + RECREATION PLAN ELEMENT: 2007
August 2007
page 28
2. Reexamination: Progress made in implementing the recommendations of the 2000 OSRP
c. Youth center/senior center
In hindsight, the provision of a dedicated youth and/or senior recreation center for a Township with
as small a population base as Cranbury—both at present and as anticipated at full build-out—appears
to be unrealistic and economically infeasible.10 However, the long-term plans for Village Green
includes the possibility of the library vacating its present space within the Cranbury school and building
a standalone library across the parking lot just to the west of the tennis courts (see Chapter IV,
Section B). Such plans may include the provision of a room for indoor recreation for seniors. The plans
for moving the library to a standalone building is, however, not projected to occur in the foreseeable future.
page 38
F. Reevaluation of the Village Green Plan
At the time of the Open Space and Recreation Committee’s formation, one of the most debated open
space and recreation issues in Cranbury was the Township Committee’s decision to fund and implement
the construction of a regulation baseball field within a new township park to be developed on
the Wright South parcel, to be known as “Village Green.” (This baseball field has been more commonly
referred to as the “Babe Ruth baseball field.”) ..........
The charrette was concluded with a broad consensus among stakeholders and residents that the
Wright South parcel should be used for the following purposes:
• a regulation baseball field;
• land designated for a library/community center;
• an open town green; and
• land designated for additional vehicular access and parking.
Prepared for
The Open Space & Recreational Subcommittee
Township of Cranbury
23-A North Main Street
Cranbury, NJ 08512
by
Phillips Preiss Shapiro Associates, Inc.
Planning & Real Estate Consultants
434 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10011 |
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Posted: Tue, May 6 2008, 11:54 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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Purchasing the PNC bank will negate the proposed plan to eventually (long term) put the library in the Village Green area. This is only when it is needed - which is not right now.
Not only that - when we purchased the the open space land - We only pay from 16,000 - 20,000 per acre. A much better deal than buying the PNC bank. |
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Posted: Tue, May 6 2008, 11:58 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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Also in this document:
page 3
Scope of Analysis
The Subcommittee reviewed prior planning efforts, most notably the 1993 Master Plan and the 2000
Open Space and Recreation Plan for Cranbury. Projections of Cranbury’s population and employment
at full build-out were used as a basis of comparison with the National Parks and Recreation
Association standards for the provision of active recreation facilities. Cranbury’s 2005 population was
estimated to be 3,947 and the build-out population is projected to be 4,612. Cranbury’s current recreational
facilities fall well within the range of acceptable facility ratios for threshold populations of 5,000
and even 10,000 persons. All of Cranbury’s open space and recreational facilities were inventoried and
evaluated—including active, passive, indoor and “alternative” recreation....
http://www.cranburytownship.org/master_plan.html |
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Michael Guest
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 7:11 am EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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Is there room in the Village Green space for something like a community garden? I see one in Plainsboro just over the railroad tracks. I don't think there would be a large cost involved, if any at all. |
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 10:19 am EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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Actually cranbury owns alot of property that open space and has many public parks. I'm sure Cranbury could find a space for a Public Garden even if it's not at the proposed Village Green. It's a great idea - plus educational. |
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Michael Guest
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 10:58 am EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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I never thaught of the educational aspect. Keeping it near the school would provide a great opportunity for the students to have a garden space as well. If the Village Green area wouldn't work, what about the parcell on the West property across from the old barn? |
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Cranbury Conservative
Joined: Tue, Apr 29 2008, 9:26 am EDT Posts: 287 Location: Old Cranbury Road
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 11:17 am EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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Agreed there are several properties which were farmed at one point and now are just sitting and not being used. They would be excellent choices. In reality the cost should be nothing to the town. All we would need is permission from the town and a volunteer effort to get it going. It sounds like a nice way to get allot of people together to do something fun outdoors. It could also be something the school could let the children participate in as well. |
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 11:30 am EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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I like the idea. I can contribute some plants and flowers from my garden. |
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Michael Guest
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 11:40 am EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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I think the idea (at least the way I saw it) was there are parcells in the designated area. Each person who uses the parcell gets to plant whatever they want (flowers, veggies, herbs). If there are limited spaces they could be assigned by raffle or first come first served. Usually there is a community compost pile and a source for water. Other than that you would be responsible for tending your garden. |
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 11:57 am EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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Plus a great opportunity to trade plants and planting tricks. I must admit, I do not have much of a green thumb - but always willing to learn. |
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Cranbury Conservative
Joined: Tue, Apr 29 2008, 9:26 am EDT Posts: 287 Location: Old Cranbury Road
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 11:59 am EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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We have allot of land which used to be farmed which is just sitting. So we could probably give anyone and everyone who wanted to plant in town some designated area of say 10 x 10 or via some other formula which we could come up with easily. So I don't think space will be an issue. Plus I bet we could get the local farmers to help us as well with tips and if we chipped in for fuel I bet they would bring in a tractor to till the field and all of that good stuff. The more I think about this it could be a great community event.
I really hope we can get this going. I wonder where we would start? Who would we go to? |
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 12:51 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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Well - there is alot to think about - such as irrigation, sprinklers, space.
AND we need the support of the different Cranbury Commissions before presenting a plan to the TC. PLUS, there might be a tentative plan already started - probably the Recreation commission would know.
Cranbury Board of Recreation Commissioners
Ken Jacobs, Director
Phone (609) 395-0900 x302; Fax: (609) 395-8861
Cranbury Environmental Commission
Kristen Hamilton, Secretary
Phone (609) 395-9931
Cranbury Parks Commission
Kristen Hamilton, Secretary
http://www.cranburytownship.org/parks_commission_main.html
The parks commission might know areas that are being watered already.
I know the mothers club also plants and waters the barrels in town too. Might be a great club to support this venture. Hmm... maybe the boy Scouts would pitch in too. |
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Michael Guest
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 1:17 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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I know the town has a list of approved Eagle Scout projects. This could be added. |
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 1:33 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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When I was a graduate student, my university (in Indiana) rented out tiny plots of land to tenants in family housing. Those families (many of them were graduate students from foreign countries) planted vegetables there.
The rent was cheap; the main purpose was to remind the students that it's not free and they are responsible for taking good care of it.
During the weekends, I could see people working on their vegetable gardens. |
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Posted: Wed, May 7 2008, 1:54 pm EDT Post subject: Re: Proposed Open Space + Recreation |
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I know I'm getting ahead of this small project - But look at the educational potential - we are still a farming community with the opportunity to teach about our town's agricultural past, present, and future.
"Going Green" with gardens, and maybe even create of water, wind, or even solar energy for irrigation and lights. If lucky - sell back the any fresh limited produce to the local restaurants (of course - without competing with our local farms - we want and need them). |
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