By John Tredrea, Special Writer
The number of people who attended a recent “design workshop” on how a half-acre tract of open space should be used shows that there’s considerable interest in Lambertville on the matter.
”We had a good turnout. About 40 people came,” said Julia Taylor of the city’s Environmental Commission, which hosted the event at the Phillip L. Pittore Justice Center.
Ms. Taylor said Sunday that the city’s environmental and recreational commissions are working “to set priorities for overall specific uses” of the tract, located at the intersection of North Union and Cherry streets.
”About 28 possible uses gardens, a gazebo and many others were discussed at the March 15 design workshop,” she said. “It’s too soon to say what the majority opinion is on how the land should be used.”
She said the Environmental Commission will tally and analyze the public input from the design workshop at that commission’s next meeting, set for 7 p.m. April 16 at the Justice Center.
”Our meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome to come and discuss this project with us,” she said.
At a Dec. 7 meeting, uses for the half-acre suggested by attendees included making the field a place for passive recreation, perhaps with facilities for ball playing. Plantings on the field, which is a grassy expanse, also were suggested.
”Some people also suggested new traffic calming measures at the intersection of North Union and Cherry streets,” Ms.Taylor said. “That’s a pretty busy intersection.”
The environmental and recreation commissions will confer soon on what’s been heard from the town.
”The plan is for those two commissions to make a joint recommendation to the City Council on the site,” Ms. Taylor said. “It’s the council that will decide what will happen there.”

