By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — West Windsor Township is picking up 26 acres on Conover Road for recreational purposes, under an ordinance adopted by Township Council that approves an exchange of land between Mercer County and the township.
Mercer County owns the 26-acre parcel, which West Windsor Township has leased from it for more than 20 years. In exchange for handing over the Conover Road tract to the township, Mercer County will receive a 4-acre parcel on Windsor Road now owned by the township.
The 26-acre parcel on Conover Road is located on the corner of Conover Road and South Post Road, and has been developed into soccer, baseball and football fields. The township had a 20-year lease on the tract, which was set to expire in December 2015.
Instead of renewing the lease, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh and the township administration approached Mercer County officials to try to acquire the Conover Road tract. The administration explored some options, and that’s what led to the land transfer.
West Windsor Township is giving up a 4-acre parcel on Windsor Road to Mercer County that borders the Assunpink Creek. County officials have been working on a greenway path along the creek banks, and would likely turn the newly acquired tract into a boat or kayak launch site.
Mayor Hsueh said that once West Windsor Township acquires the Conover Road tract, it would make improvements to the existing athletic fields. Amenities, such as restroom facilities, will likely be created. It made no sense for the township to make improvements on a property it did not own, he said.
Township Council President Linda Geevers described the land exchange as a “win-win” situation for both the county and the township. The township gets ownership of the athletic fields and the county acquires land along the creek.
Andrew Kulley, who is the president of the Friends of West Windsor Open Space, said he favored the land exchange.
“This is a slam dunk. I don’t know how else to put it,” Mr. Kulley said.
