$3 Million Set Aside for Recreation; HS Fields, Harry Ally Park Considered

The Bridgewater Township Council plans to spend up to $3 million for open space. It just doesn't know on what yet.

Members of the council came to their July 19 meeting only looking to decide whether the money would be allocated at all. They weren't yet ready to pick between creating turf fields at Bridgewater-Raritan High School or making repairs at  Harry Ally Memorial Park on Grand Boulevard because legal negotiations with the Bridgewater-Raritan School District are still ongoing,  Council President Matthew Moench said.

And council members unanimously agreed to allocate money from their Open Space Trust Fund for one of those efforts.

But most of the 20 or so residents who spoke before the council had made up their own minds—they backed the turf fields. They spent more than an hour voicing their opinions on the matter.

"I commend the township council on this because this idea was passed by taxpayers in referendum," said Compton Way resident Veronica Finlay. "Some youth organizations have been added, and there is not enough space for them. We cannot stagnate on these decisions. We are a vibrant community, and we need to remain vibrant."

A referendum was approved in November 2008, allowing the township to use up to 25 percent—or $3,032,345, in the case of Bridgewater's funds—of the money in the Open Space Trust Fund for the development of land that had been acquired for recreational purposes. An ordinance in the matter was adopted in December.

A committee was later established to determine the park development priorities in the township, with the turf fields on Garretson Road and Harry Ally Memorial Park both being on the list.

A parade of student athletes, parents, coaches and teachers stepped before the council, commending the plan to reserve funds for repairs, and imploring the elected officials to add the turf fields, rather than focus on Harry Ally Memorial Park.

Citing what many said were atrocious fields at the high school, and the lack of enough space for all teams to play, residents discussed the benefits of creating more turf fields for all different sports teams to enjoy.

"I have noticed a deficiency in the fields, particularly for youth sports," said Jeffrey Konen, of Farmer Road. "We're below par with our fields, and we should take advantage of these funds. I ask the council to embrace the project and move forward."

Many said that in addition to providing better fields for high school teams, the project would allow for more opportunities for outside recreational teams throughout the township to have options when it comes to finding practice fields.

Council members said they were in favor of the ordinance, and would support the additional turf fields for the high school over the repairs to Harry Ally Memorial Park, but only if appropriate negotiations could be made with the school board for payments on the construction.

"I am in favor of the money for the high school over the park, as long as it is fair for recreation," Moench said. "But we are not picking up the slack for the board of education."

Township Administrator Jim Naples said the council is in active negotiations with the Board of Education, and will be bringing information to its facilities committee to discuss the pending issue.

"I am in favor of the ordinance tonight," Councilman Dan Hayes said. "What we are saying here is we are doing the next step in the creation of the public vote. We will go and investigate these projects. But I would like to hear from the Recreation Department about how non-Board of Education uses will fit into these fields."

But two members of the public said they'd prefer repairs at Harry Ally Memorial Park, saying the council should not only focus on school district-related recreation uses.

Dick Bergeron, of Washington Valley Road, expressed a concern over the condition of the park, and the benefits of focusing attention on a township location, rather than specifically on the school sports.

"Harry Ally Park really is in horrible condition right now," he said. "It is not simply maintenance; it looks like it needs a complete redo."

Creating the new turf fields for the high school, Bergeron said, would be too restrictive for the township, as opposed to repairing a park that could be used by the entire township.

"I think there is greater use for the park, and a greater use for all of Bridgewater," he said. "The high school is a little more restrictive."

Another resident said he believes the issue with the park is about neglect, and people not taking care of the park itself. In addition, he said, he is concerned that there will not be enough opportunities for those people who are not part of the high school athletics to use the fields.

At one point, the resident said, he was not allowed to use the track at the high school because he is not affiliated with the school, and he is worried that the disrepair of the area at the park will eliminate opportunities for those who are not part of the sports teams.

Bergeron said he is also unsure of why the township is using its own funds to assist in something that will be used for the school district.

"The money isn't there, but that doesn't mean the township should set a precedent of using township money for high school use," he said. "It doesn't fit, and I think a greater use would be for the park."

Naples said this is not about a case of best use for township funds, but rather a cooperative effort between the township and the school district.

"The fields would be used for all recreational opportunities," he said. "Its location is what made it so attractive. The alternative to the high school is to have the turf field at Harry Ally Park. All recreation programs would be beneficiaries of this. During school time, they would be used by the school, otherwise by recreational programs."

But for many students present at the meeting, the idea of having new turf fields means better teams, more practice and more opportunity.

"Having more fields would allow for safer play, and would save money," said a junior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School. "The turf field has helped me so much, and shaped my skills."