Joint effort of Montgomery and Rocky Hill due to open next year.
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
MONTGOMERY Development of the long-awaited Van Horne Park kicked off Saturday as the township and Rocky Hill Borough broke ground on the shared municipal park.
"This park is a very important piece of a larger vision for this part of town," Mayor Louise Wilson said. "It will be an anchor, a people place, an easy walk or bike ride for thousands of residents of our two communities and a wonderful asset complementing the businesses nearby."
When complete, facilities will include two multi-purpose fields, two adult-size softball fields, two basketball courts, two playground areas, a pavilion and paved pathways around the active recreation area. The park also will have 62 acres’ worth of passive recreation area, including walking trails, a gazebo and a natural area.
The township and the borough of Rocky Hill are collaborating to fund the creation of the 95-acre park, a $1.2 million project.
"The joint committee of Montgomery and Rocky Hill residents and officials did an excellent job planning this park," Mayor Wilson said. "This park will have a lot to offer, whether you’re aiming for a big family picnic or quiet reflection, whether you want to see softball or songbirds."
When complete, Van Horne Park will have two entrances one off Route 206 through the Burger King entrance and another off Princeton Avenue, just west of Hickory Court. There will be pathway connections from adjoining neighborhoods.
The two municipalities originally purchased the land from the Schafer family in 1996. In 1998, Somerset County bought it from the municipalities, assuming their Green Acres loan and then leasing the land back to the township and borough for 25 years for $1.
Township officials said that depending on weather and progress made this spring, the park should open in the spring or fall of 2006.