Letter to the Editor: Help Needed to Preserve Canoe Club

Editor's note: This piece was written by Daniel Aschenbach, Commissioner of Public Affairs. It has not been edited. If you'd like to submit a letter to the editor, email whitney@patch.com.

The Cranford Canoe Club has been an important part of Cranford’s history. In the 1880s as the township was being established, canoeing was part of the charm of what was then a residential suburb of New York City.  In fact the real estate advertisements proclaimed Cranford’s suburban tranquility at the water’s edge.  The first boating association was formed in 1880 and numerous others were to follow. River festivals were held along the river with lanterns strung and families gathering to enjoy the community event. Teens formed one such boating club that became known as the Cranford Canoe Club.  Over the years the club became more associated with a building that now sits at the corner of Springfield and Orange Avenue. 

Cranford faces an important infrastructure improvement in the next year.  The county is in the process of replacing the worn-down bridge next to the Canoe Club. Residents need to remain patient regarding the traffic flow as this is a major infrastructure improvement by the county.   An interesting note is that the former bridge was one of  the  causes of the end to the river festivals held along the river.  During one famous festival in the early part of the last century, after the new bridge had been constructed, a canoe could not navigate the lower ceiling under the bridge and caught fire.  In those days the canoes were decorated with lighted candles.  Today, canoeists and flood control engineers will be closely watching the bridge's new  height.

I was proud to be part of an effort a few years ago to help restore the Canoe Club.  Then the township’s building inspector had justifiably ordered the building closed due to the disrepair. A historical architect and some dedicated citizens worked to get the restoration underway. 

But more remains to be completed: two Victorian lanterns gracing the new bridge should be installed; the dock and bulkhead are in serious need of replacement and the building lighting was to have been upgraded. A plan to extend the canoe rides to Lenape Park is not yet completed.  A plan to put a kiosk at the club to let visitors know about the rich history of Cranford was also part of the plan.

During these challenging economic times it is hard to place any new cost burdens on the local government so citizen volunteers will need to be called upon to make a difference. 

History is always evolving and with dedicated and concerned citizens Cranford just keeps getting to be a better place.