Greenway Meadows Park exhibits both an active and passive side.
By: David Campbell
Fine summer weather and the hum of cicadas in biblical proportions ushered in the grand opening of Greenway Meadows Park on Saturday morning.
The rolling lawns and cultivated landscaping features, which include a stately Sycamore allée and a stunning view of the Sourland Mountains, recall the days when the site off Rosedale Road was a grand private estate of the Robert Wood Johnson family.
As a result of efforts by the township and borough of Princeton in cooperation with regional land trust Delaware and Raritan Greenway and numerous private supporters, this land is now open to the public for recreation and relaxation.
Saturday’s grand opening comes about three years after the $7.4 million deal to preserve about 55 acres of the former estate was closed. About 12 acres have been developed for active recreation. The remaining 43 acres are dedicated to passive uses with walking trails and open meadows.
Burlington-based engineering firm Lord, Anderson, Worrell & Barnett designed the active portion of the park, which includes two soccer fields, a women’s softball field, a "tot lot," a comfort station with public restrooms and two parking areas.
Princeton Township Engineer Robert Kiser, who noted past challenges like the original contractor for the project going bankrupt, said Saturday morning that "the final product makes it all worth the effort." Also, officials were forced to evict a tenant from a cottage who refused to leave. The cottage was later torn down.
Mr. Kiser pointed to a wide-ranging collaboration that made the park possible.
"It was a tremendous effort by many, many parties to put this park in place," Mr. Kiser said, citing among others the borough and township, D&R Greenway and Greg O’Neil, the township’s open space manager and arborist.
Mr. O’Neil called the grand opening event "hugely successful," and Greenway Meadows "a gem of a park, and we’re really proud of it."
"Everyone pulled together on this and made a lot of sacrifices to make a really great thing happen," he said.
According to Public Works Superintendent Donald Hansen, who said his crews worked prior to the opening "sprucing up" the park, "It’s gorgeous. It’s definitely an award-winning park. The work done there is unsurpassed, and it’s only going to get better."
The township and borough mayors addressed a gathering in front of a historic barn soon to be renovated for the Greenway’s offices and public outreach. They commemorated the opening of the new park and lauded the shared effort behind it.
"I am just so happy that this day has finally come," said township Mayor Phyllis Marchand. "This park is absolutely beautiful. I want to thank all the people who made this park possible."
Borough Mayor Joseph O’Neill said, "This is a collaboration, between the borough, the township, the Greenway and a host of donors," and said future generations would thank them for the accomplishment they commemorated on Saturday.
Greenway Executive Director Linda announced the creation of The Upmeyer Internship for Land Preservation and Stewardship, named after former Greenway Trustee Neil Upmeyer, who died in April.
Ms. Mead also announced the creation of The Greenway Center in the historic barn that stands in the heart of the park. Under a design by Princeton architect Jeremiah Ford III of Ford3 Architects, the land trust will convert the large structure into space for offices and environmental and preservation education programs.
"Here in this 100-year-old dairy barn, an important link with Princeton’s past, we hope to work together to provide a better future for all Princeton residents and for all residents of New Jersey," Ms. Mead said.
"We hope interested public and private partners throughout the state will join us here in this magnificent park and learn how to preserve more beautiful open spaces just like it," she added.
Following comments by officials on Saturday, the park’s new playing fields were christened with games by teams of the Princeton Soccer Association and the Princeton Girls Softball League.