Morristown Parking Spaces to Go Green

Back in May, Morristown officials and Mill Creek Residential broke ground on the Early Street luxury apartments—Latitude. 

With all this redevelopment going on, it’s important to not forget about the trees. Together North Jersey announced Wednesday that they’ll be funding three projects through its Local Demonstration Project Program. 

Morristown will use their LDP funding to create a design manual for their “parklet” program and create a parklet in the community. The two photos are from a Speedwell Ave Parklet the town discussed earlier this year.

A parklet is a small public park that is built in the street, usually in the location of what used to be a parking space. The goal is to increase green space, create a pedestrian-friendly downtown, provide areas for passive recreation, and provide a showcase for public art, said the press release.

“We anticipate that this first parklet will serve as a a model for future parklets and small open spaces in our town," said Daniel Hernandez, Planning Director.

Morristown’s design manual can later be used as a model for similar projects across the State

"These types of projects that are generated from community ideas help to enhance our already vibrant and accessible downtown,” said Mayor Tim Dougherty. “Our town planners are always looking for new and creative opportunities to make Morristown a more livable, welcoming, green place for all our residents."

Perth Amboy will put together a train station-area plan and Springfield is working toward a vision-exercise to adopt a walkable downtown. Work on these projects will begin this summer and conclude before the end of the year.

The two other cities that received LDP funding are Perth Amboy and Springfield Township. These projects were selected from 12 applications received in April, as part of Round II submissions, according to the press release.

An additional nine projects are currently under review for other counties and cities in the region. Together North Jersey will announce three more projects this October

and the rest in January.

The LDP Program is a major component of Together North Jersey, a regional collaborative planning initiative currently underway in the 13-county North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority region of New Jersey.

The LDP Program is intended to provide technical assistance to local partners throughout the region to undertake strategic planning activities promoting sustainable, livable, and transit-oriented development, and advance the broader goals of Together North Jersey.

Details on all proposed Local Demonstration Projects can be found on the Together North Jersey Website.

http://togethernorthjersey.com/?page_id=14208