Town Officials To Reword Hillside Skate Park Resolution

Town officials discussed rescinding a previous resolution that designated Hillside Avenue as the location for a Cranford skate park.

The revised resolution would remove Hillside Avenue as the identified location for the skate park and would instead list Hillside and Centennial avenues as potential locations only. It would also form a committee to study all proposed locations as well as those not yet identified.

Commissioner of Finance Mark Dugan said at the Monday night town meeting that the resolution had designated a location to allow the Cranford Skate Park Association to study and plan for the park.

"The association is not going to invest money in a specific site study if there's no specific site to study," he said. Dugan later added, "let's let everyone have an opportunity to voice their concerns before a resolution is adopted."

Some Cranford residents asked why the resolution had been passed before they had a chance to discuss the proposed location.

"It just kinda took me personally by surprise that something like that would go on and be that quick," said one resident from Crane Parkway. "It seemed like there was a lot more lengthy discussion before the Adams Avenue site was decided to not be the [skate park location]."

All committee members were in favor of the revised resolution.

Dugan suggested forming a two-person subcommittee to hold hearings studying the proposed park locations. Other committee members suggested the formation of a full review committee to tackle studies and public concerns.

Residents also asked township officials why they were not properly notified about meetings and discussions regarding the proposed Hillside Avenue skate park.

Mayor David Robinson said the proposed skate park location had been discussed in at least one public meeting before the resolution was adopted.

Hillside Avenue was discussed as a possible location for the skate park at a township committee meeting on July 20, according to town meeting minutes. There were four members of the public at the meeting. No member of the public made a comment about the skate park. According to an article published in the Cranford Chronicle on July 22, Mayor David Robinson called the conversation "preliminary."

Also according to meeting minutes, Robinson discussed the adoption of Resolution No. 2009-230, which passed with a unanimous vote by the committee, at a meeting on August 18. There were 10 members of the public present at the meeting. No one commented on the skate park.

Adams Avenue was tossed aside as a potential skate park site in 2005 after residents expressed their concerns.

"This always seems to end up in a contentious place," said Mark Smith, deputy mayor and commissioner of public works. "I know the feeling of powerlessness when you feel the government is against you and is not listening to your complaints, because that's the perception, the feeling you get. It's emotional because it's your home and you want to do everything in your power to protect it."

Robinson also mentioned requesting more information from Union County regarding a possible skate park location at the former skeet range in Lenape Park Basin.

"Nothing has been decided at this point, no legal transaction whereby the township of Cranford has entered into a lease with the organization," said Marlena Schmid, township administrator. "Nothing has been given at this moment."

Town officials will hear public comments at Tuesday's official committee meeting at 8 p.m. in the municipal building.