By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Packet Media Group
ROBBINSVILLE — The new park on Washington Boulevard is a picturesque place for residents of Robbinsville and beyond to enjoy, but it is especially meaningful to the residents of the Foxmoor community.
A short trip down memory lane will help provide a better understanding and appreciation for what the new park means to the Foxmoor residents, according to resident and Foxmoor Planning Group member Jayme Race.
Developed in 1985, the Foxmoor community is home to Foxmoor Master Association, Foxmoor Townhomes, Wyndham Place, Andover Glen, and Hampton Chase. This property, consisting of 106 single-family homes, 994 townhomes, and 576 condominiums, is located in the heart of Robbinsville.
On July 20, 2011, the Robbinsville Township Planning Board unanimously approved a preliminary site plan for construction of a three-story mixed-use office building with associated parking on 6.2 acres of township-owned property. The office building was to be located next to the Tynemouth Court townhomes and across the street from Wyndham Place, according to Mr. Race.
"The office building would have negative implications to the Foxmoor community such as transforming the tranquil, scenic Foxmoor residential area and it would have ruined the quietness of the Foxmoor neighborhood," Mr. Race said. "The proposed three-story office building would have ‘visually dominated’ the Foxmoor residential area with increased traffic congestion."
Although preliminary plans for the office building were already prepared and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection approved the ACT Engineers Freshwater Wetlands Letter of Interpretation (LOI) Application making way for the office building, a small group of concerned Foxmoor residents (Foxmoor Planning Group) started a petition and collected signatures from the residents in opposition to the proposed office building. The concerned Foxmoor residents also wrote letters to the editors of the local newspapers explaining their opposition to the office building, according to Mr. Race.
On Oct. 11, 2011, a lawsuit was filed with the Mercer County Superior Court in Trenton against Robbinsville Township. In early March 2012, Mayor Dave Fried told a packed room of more than 100 Foxmoor residents that he was abandoning the controversial plan to put an office building in their neighborhood. Instead, the 6-acre parcel would be left as open space, he said.
On March 22, Mayor Fried confirmed an agreement with residents of Foxmoor to transform the 6-acre plot of township-owned land on Washington Boulevard, former home to the police substation, into a picturesque park in accordance with residents’ wishes.
Construction started on the new park in October 2013. The township held a grand opening of what is now officially called Foxmoor Community Park on Oct. 23.
The park features a gazebo, a stamped concrete compass in the center of a concrete handicap accessible pathway, a birdbath, metal benches and picnic tables, a flagpole and a small parking area. The park also has a butterfly garden and a sculpture called "Two Kids on a Bench," the latter of which was made possible through donations collected from both Foxmoor residents and local businesses. The township provided matching funds until the goal of $1,772.50 was reached.
The wooded area behind the park features a walking trail developed as part of an Eagle Scout project by Robbinsville Boy Scouts of Troop 79.
In honor of the grand opening, Mr. Race collected Foxmoor Planning Group members’ and Foxmoor community residents’ thoughts on the project:
"I remember how we fought back — we got signatures, filed a lawsuit against the township, attended Township Council meetings, called the mayor’s office, etc.," Tom Doyle, a member of the Foxmoor Planning Group said. "This was not a fun process. The township threatened our quality of life and if we did not fight back and fight back hard, an office building would be in our backyard. So what this park means to me is that government works. We spoke up and after much effort, the township finally listened."
Debbie Baer, a member of the Foxmoor Planning Group, said, "Parents with strollers can take a break by the waterfalls among the beautiful bushes and flowers. Dan and I take walks through the park and along the trail through the woods. It is just beautiful and relaxing. The ‘Two Kids on a Bench’ sculpture is the perfect addition to the atmosphere."
Susan Abbott, a Foxmoor resident for 19 years, said, "This beautiful little park invites me in every day and reminds me to pause, take a breath and enjoy this beautiful community that I am so lucky to be a part of. To all the members of this Robbinsville Township community who came together to give us this beautiful gift, I am forever grateful."
Vicky Walsh, a member of the Foxmoor Planning Group, said, "As a result of getting residents to sign a petition against the proposed office building, we were able to effect a change for the health and benefit of the Foxmoor community. I love the fact that when I drive by the park, sometimes five times day, I look over at the park and it brightens up my day and it’s all within my sight. I get a feeling of joyfulness. While walking through the park, I’m overwhelmed with a feeling of happiness and fulfillment because I’ve been part of the entire process from the beginning."
Marianne Palmieri, a member of the Foxmoor Planning Group, said all of her Andover Glen neighbors are in awe of the little park.
"They think it is so beautiful, peaceful and tranquil," she said. "I walk everyday weather permitting. I have been stopped by a neighbor, even if they are in a car, to tell me how unbelievable the park is. Each one of them actually feels that this is their personal park. When I walk by the park, I will see people there and they are all smiling and they are amazed how beautiful it is. One young mother is there quite often with her little 3-year-old daughter who insists that they go to the park every day because this is her park to play. The little girl is in her glory and runs to each little area and has a conversation with the stones, waterfall, flowers and whatever she sees. Recently my son came to visit, he now lives in another state, and of course I took him to the park. He is an engineer and notices everything. Well, he was very impressed and said they did a great job. My opinion is that it’s a dream come true. An effort by so many people, neighbors, friends, companies. Our Mayor David Fried and township all working together to make this spectacular park for young and old to enjoy."
Mr. Race gave special thanks Mayor Fried, Joy Tozzi, Tim McGough, Joe Barker, Dino Colarocco and Robbinsville Town Council members Christine Ciaccio, Dave Boyne, Vincent J. Calcagno, Sheree S. McGowan and Ron Witt for the "picturesque park." He also thanked Foxmoor Planning Group members Brian Shea, David Aust, Debbie Baer, Elaine McCoola, Jennifer Kavanagh, Penny Bolla, Tom Doyle, Vicky Walsh, Diane Kubinski and Marianne Palmieri.
