Open Space/Environment

(Photo: East Millstone UMC.) An ordinance that would allow the purchase of property in East Millstone for open space preservation was introduced by the Township Council on January 23. The ordinance would allocate $261,500 from the Township’s Open Space Trust Fund to buy the property at 4 Elm Street. The property is owned by the East Millstone United Methodist Church, …

GENERATIONAL FARMING DISCUSSED – The Generational Farmer panel at Somerset County’s Influencing Agriculture Conference included (l-r) Carol English of English Farm in Basking Ridge; Matt Puskas of Middlebush Farm in Franklin Township; and Jimmy Abma of Abma’s Farms in Hillsborough and Doug Van Nuys of Hillsboro Farm. A township farmer was among 13 Somerset County farmers who participated in panel …

The new Middlebush skate park is open. The new Middlebush Park skate park is already garnering attention. The new park, located next to the basketball courts, is smaller than the one it replaced, but is considered by skaters as an upgrade. The $309,000 skate park is made entirely of poured concrete, vastly different than the metal ramps that were placed …

Township open space consultant Tara Kenyon told the Committee about the options available to internally maintain the grassland preserves. Purchases the township will have to make to internally manage the two grasslands preserves were discussed at the October 19 Open Space Advisory Committee meeting. The preserves – Negri Nepote and John Clyde Memorial – need to be protected from invasive …

Township Councilman spoke in favor of replacing the skate park. Work on a new skate park in Middlebush Park will probably start in the Spring of 2022, now that the Township Council awarded a $308,000 contract for its design and construction at its August 10 meeting. And once the park is open, the township ordinance regarding wearing safety equipment while …

An artist’s rendering of the proposed skate park replacement for Middlebush Park. Rather than replace the skate park at Middlebush Park, members of the Open Space Advisory Committee said July 20 that they would prefer a spray park in its place. Some Committee members contended that the skate park was rarely used, and that a spray park would be a …

Township Councilwoman Kimberly Francois said during the January 25 Redevelopment Agency meeting that the Council is “not going forward” on the proposed Grandparent’s Park project. A controversial plan to build a small park on Willow Avenue, near New Brunswick Road, appears to be dead, according to a comment made by a Township Councilwoman. Councilwoman Kimberly Francois (D-At Large) made the …

The township is looking into replacing deteriorating benches along trails, and may open up purchases to the public. In a plan discussed at the January 19 Open Space Advisory Committee meeting, residents would be able to “sponsor” the new benches, and dedicate them to loved ones or organizations. Many of the wooden benches that line township trails are falling apart, …

Whether the township can legally lease the Six Mile Run Reservoir Site land from the state will be the topic of discussion soon between the Township Manager and township attorney. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said he would discuss the issue with township attorney Louis N. Rainone. Vornlocker did not sound optimistic about the idea being workable for the township. Language …

The township is considering building a “grandparents’ park” at the corner of Willow Avenue and New Brunswick Road. The township is considering building a “multi-generational” park at the corner of New Brunswick Road and Willow Avenue. The park, also known as a “grandparents’ park,” would be built on about an acre of the 24.63 acres of Green Acres open space …