Pine Street neighbors in borough approve plan for park

Tragic death of professor prompts his neighbors to seek park’s rehabilitation

By: Marjorie Censer
   Pine Street Park neighbors approved Tuesday the revised plan for the park, presented by Dan Dobromilsky, a landscape architect who serves as a consultant to the Princetons.
   The revised plan incorporates suggestions made by the neighbors at an October meeting. In particular, Mr. Dobromilsky’s new plan includes a wrought-iron fence at the front of the park and increases the park’s lawn space.
   An earlier plan had shown several pieces of playground equipment and a memorial garden in honor of the late David Bradford, the Princeton University professor and Pine Street resident for whom neighbors would like to rename the park. Dr. Bradford died in February from injuries sustained in a fire at his home.
   The revised plan scales down the playground area to one piece of equipment — a small whirl in a neutral color that would replace the existing one — and eliminates the garden. Mr. Dobromilsky said, in accordance with the requests of the street’s residents, the new plan will create a large lawn area, approximately 30 feet by 34 feet.
   He also showed a new configuration for the walkway of the park — where two benches and a picnic table will sit — that uses a quilting method. Red bricks from the existing walkway are reused and placed in a pattern that includes bluestone. He said that area could also include an engraved bluestone in Dr. Bradford’s honor.
   Polly Burlingham, a member of the Princeton Parks Alliance, suggested the replacement water fountain to be installed include a hose attachment to make it easier for neighbors to care for the flowers and plants. Neighbors also suggested replacing the park’s rear fence which they said is in poor shape.
   Mr. Dobromilsky suggested some shrubs and perennials to be planted in the park, but said the final decisions can be left to the neighbors.
   Borough Administrator Robert Bruschi has said the borough will contribute $25,000, as well as the in-kind service of its Public Works Department to do the majority of the park’s rehabilitation. He has valued the entirety of the contribution at $50,000 and said, in an interview Wednesday, the rehabilitation will likely take place during March and April, depending on the weather.
   Earlier this year, the borough established a trust fund to accept donations in memory of Dr. Bradford. The fund now has nearly $2,500. Mr. Bruschi has said the neighbors can keep that money in trust to be spent on flowers and park maintenance.