Concept Plan For Princeton’s Community Park South Presented To Council

PRINCETON, NJ – During the last council meeting, a consultant presented a report on the new plans for Community Park South.

Plans are underway in the Municipality to renovate the 26-acre expanse. The concept plan was voted on and recommended by the Recreation Department.

The process began in February with a steering committee made up of Municipal staff, council members, representatives from Princeton Environmental Commission, Witherspoon Jackson neighborhood, public schools, Human Services and other stakeholders. They held public meetings soliciting feedback and input from the public and then incorporated it into the concept design.

Two final concepts were presented to the Recreation Department – Concept A and Concept B. The department voted on Concept A as the other required the Municipality to eliminate 10-12 healthy and mature shade trees in the area of the current picnic pavilion in order to relocate the tennis courts.

Concept A includes new tennis courts, pickleball courts, two restrooms, new playing fields, and softball and baseball fields oriented to the angle of the sun to accommodate right and left-handed batters.

The concept plan also includes an open space where residents can play soccer and lacrosse.

The “family zone” will include a picnic area, a new playground, bocce courts, and a place to play volleyball or cornhole.

Improvements will be made to two existing dog parks to the cost of $1,350,000. The tennis courts will cost $1,900,000, $600,000 for irrigation, 3,300,000 for sports lighting and $950,000 for landscaping among other expenses.

For a more detailed breakdown of the cost estimation, click here.

After the presentation, Councilwoman Leticia Fraga said she was happy to see the inclusion of things she liked in the concept plan, like the family zone.

Councilman Leighton Newlin thanked the Recreation Department and consultants from Suburban Consulting Engineers for the presentation.

"I want to thank you for being tree-sensitive. Sustainability is important and I think we came up with the right design,” Newlin said.

The next step would be to take it to the engineering department for the drawings and work on the estimated budget.

Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros said the Municipality will be looking for funding for the project.

“This is not something that we want to put a taxpayer burden on. We are looking at state, federal, county funding,” Pirone Lambros said.

“There is a lot of work that needs to take place before we come back with engineering drawings and a more solid budget.”

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