Middletown Township Committee members have unanimously decided to move forward with a preliminary concept plan that calls for the development of up to nine athletic fields at Stevenson Park.
Municipal officials said they would rely on assistance from a Monmouth County open space grant to help fund the first phase of what they are calling a muti-phase project.
Officials said they will apply for the maximum $250,000 county grant to fund the first phase – the development of two athletic fields and a gravel parking lot at the undeveloped park at 930 and 940 West Front Street.
Municipal officials said Middletown is facing a dilemma with more children and teenagers participating in recreational sports. They said the existing athletic fields in the municipality can no longer meet the demand.
During a meeting on Sept. 4, committee members voted to submit a grant application to the county and the application included a preliminary site plan. The complete project could add nine athletic fields at Stevenson Park. Officials said the first phase could cost up to $1.5 million.
Middletown would be required to make a dollar for dollar match for any grant received from the county. Officials said the project being planned at Stevenson Park does not include lights and would not include evening sporting events.
In a memo to the Township Committee, Township Administrator Tony Mercantante described Stevenson Park as an ideal location for athletic fields.
Mercantante said creating fields on the flat, cleared property at Stevenson Park could help existing fields in the community recover from the constant use they currently receive and accommodate the demand for those who participate in seasonal sports.
“Although the plan may seem somewhat aggressive, it merely shows what could be developed on the park in the way of sports fields … One of the great opportunities this location offers us is the ability to locate fields in a single location, providing greater efficiencies for maintenance and use of our resources,” he wrote.
“… In addition, this location allows us the potential to create up to nine fields without the removal of trees … Another benefit of this location is that even a few additional fields in town will give us the ability and flexibility to rest one or two fields a year throughout the township. We are constantly hearing that our fields are not in the best condition … When fields are essentially in constant use, as they are now, there is only so much that can be done to keep them in top notch order,” he added.
Mercantante noted that the cost estimate for the first phase includes the cost of one to two wells that will be needed for irrigation.
Township Engineer Ted Maloney told members of the public the first phase includes the development two athletic fields and a gravel parking lot. The road leading into the park from West Front Street would be extended, he said.
“It is kind of apparent these locations are ideal for fields in terms of drainage and access,” Maloney said.
“Just to be clear, these are concept plans,” Deputy Mayor Anthony Fiore said after Maloney’s presentation.
Fiore said the preliminary site plans can be amended as the project gets underway. He said phase one should not be interpreted as a final plan for action.
During public comment, some residents expressed support for the addition of athletic fields at Stevenson Park and others took issue with the plan.
Chris Lindsey, who is a board member of the Middletown Soccer Club, said there are 60 soccer teams from the Middletown Soccer Club and the Monmouth United Soccer Club. He said there are about 700 children who are registered to play soccer in the municipality.
“We are always explaining the challenges to parents. The challenge we face is the quantity of kids we are trying to (accommodate) … This (plan) provides us the opportunity to fix that,” Lindsey said.
Some residents said they are apprehensive about an increase in the number of vehicles on West Front Street and the development of undisturbed land for recreational purposes. They said the park should be left in its current “pristine” condition.
Libby Polyviou, West Front Street, said, “I haven’t heard anyone talk about roads. I’m a little scared (hearing about) 1,500 adults (parents of soccer players) who are going to be coming here … My husband and I affectionately call (the area) ‘dead man’s curve.’ We have lived here for four years and have seen numerous roll-overs, while both of my retaining walls have been completely crushed…”
Polyviou said motorists on the street tend to exceed the speed limit. She said there are no shoulders or sidewalks along West Front Street.
“Has anybody thought about the (existing) traffic?” Polyviou said. “I really want to stress how the traffic situation is scary … People coming from other towns, they don’t know West Front Street.”
Mayor Kevin Settembrino responded to Polyviou’s concerns, saying, “the details have not been worked out.”