Area Residents Voice Opposition To Proposed Arlington Park

Residents of Arlington and Irvington avenues showed up to a June 28 public hearing to oppose a proposed pocket park in their neighborhood.

More than a dozen residents of Arlington and Irvington avenues showed up at a June 28 public hearing to give a big thumbs-down to the proposed Arlington Park.

The so-called “pocket park” will feature a basketball court, a Tot Lot, a playground and a small gazebo.

Township manager Robert Vornlocker said the land has been owned by the township since the 1950s, and has been designated as park land since 1961.

The park, he said, would not be intended as a destination to be driven to, but as a neighborhood park within walking distance of area residents.

But many of those very residents said they did not want it.

Concerns about security, parking and who, exactly would use the park were voiced during the public hearing on the park, held before the Township Council meeting.

Richard Fendt, of Anthony Motors, said he had concerns about a park being placed next to a tow yard.

He said he keeps two Doberman Pinchers in his yard for security. What would happen, he asked, if a child threw a ball over the wall separating his property from the park?

“I think there’s a lot better place to have a park,” he said.

Louis Genovese of Arlington Avenue said the wooded area is currently the home to a variety of wildlife.

“I saw a bald eagle there,” he said. “If this park goes through, it will be another example of a natural habitat that will go away.”

Irvington Avenue resident Sharon Zamorski asked what security would be available when the park was closed.

Also, she and other said, there are no children in the neighborhood.

“We’re all senior citizens,” she said.

Zamorski also said the park would generate nice.

“We won’t be able to sit in our backyards,” she said.

The only person to speak in favor of the park was Keith Stewart, chairman of the Advisory Recreation Council.

“The council, he said, is in “unanimous agreement” that a park is needed there.

Mayor Phillip Kramer said he was surprised by the opposition because, h said, he and Township Councilman James Vassanella (D-Ward 5) spoke to about 12 Arlington Avenue residents, all of whom were supportive.

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