By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Seeking to beautify the business district in the Eldridge Park neighborhood, the Greater Eldridge Park Neighborhood Association plans to take a walk along Lawrence Road to pick out locations for planters.
The group expects to stroll along Lawrence Road between the Willis Greenhouse florists and the Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Oct. 25. Neighbors are invited to tag along on the walk, which begins at 10 a.m. at the corner of Meadowbrook Avenue and Lawrence Road.
Jim Townsend, a member of the association, pointed out Monday night that the Main Street business district in the village of Lawrenceville is “unified” in appearance by the brick pavers that have recently been installed between the curb and the sidewalks.
Mr. Townsend said he could draw up a “visual plan” — a blueprint — for the beautification effort in time for GEPNA’s November meeting. The plan could include the creation of a small park on the vacant lot on the corner of Lawrence Road and Lawrence Avenue, which belongs to the Church of St. Ann, he said. The church has agreed to cooperate.
GEPNA president Brett Smith agreed, adding that “once you have a picture, it’s easier. You can see what it looks like. (We need) a multi-phase ‘visual,’ something that is attainable, whether it is unified garbage cans or planters.”
Mr. Smith said identifying locations for the planters is something that is “attainable and easy to do,” and that it would lead up to a spring planting project sponsored by GEPNA.
GEPNA members also agreed to prepare a short survey that would be handed out to residents. The goal is to seek residents’ input and to keep GEPNA focused on what the residents want to see for their neighborhood.
”It will help keep us focused,” said Joseph Cermele, a GEPNA member. “It will tell us what they would like to see or what they want us to do. We could get a reaction from them immediately. It could be long-term and short-term goals.”
The group also heard some words of encouragement from Ralph Copleman, the executive director of Sustainable Lawrence and a resident of the historic village of Lawrenceville. Sustainable Lawrence is focused on promoting an ecologically sustainable lifestyle.
Mr. Copleman said that although he was not directly involved in Lawrenceville Main Street — the group that spearheaded the revitalization of the Main Street business district — he observed that it took a long time for the effort to get off the ground.
”You must have a direction for clarity,” Mr. Copleman said. “It doesn’t take off until you get clarity. Mr. Copleman said the group should find neighborhood residents who are interested, and then encourage them to take ownership of the effort. He cautioned GEPNA members that they will probably hear “a lot of ‘no’s’ before you get a ‘yes.’”
GEPNA grew out of a recommendation contained in a 2007 study of the Eldridge Park neighborhood conducted by township planning consultant Philip Caton.

