A narrow gravel road led into the forest.
Adjusting the vehicle to cooperate with the rhythm of the rocky pavement, the car patiently remained in motion as it approached a one-lane bridge, mindfully adorned by rushing waters of the Navesink.
Following the path to Stevenson Park, a passive property in Middletown, the unspoiled landscape is favored by residents for outdoor recreation uses and its serene state of being.
At present, the property, located at 930 and 940 West Front St., could be compromised.
A concept plan to develop the land into a series of athletic fields resides on the governing body’s table in Middletown. The development would be carried out to meet the municipality’s growing demand for sports fields.
If pursued, residents said the development could disrupt their quality of life.
Middletown resident Debbie Harry – founder of the American rock band Blondie – remained still as she surveyed the property, engaging with the wind, noting the charm of a vacant farmhouse.
“The land is precious,” Harry said.
Harry, who has been a resident of the town for years, is one of many locals who are taking action against the Township Committee’s initiative to develop Stevenson Park.
“Everybody goes to Europe and marvels at architecture and park lands,” Harry said. “At home, everything is, ‘Ah, knock it down and build something new.’ But we have got this. There is no real reason to destroy it. Except, that would be the easy way out. I think, as I said, building a proper sports complex would be much more valuable. It would take a little bit more effort and a lot more money, but it would be worth it.”
Stevenson Park is adjacent to the Shady Oaks and Shadow Lake Village adult communities, as well as other residential properties situated along Shadow Lake. Residents who live near the undeveloped park have previously said the noise that would come from games and events being played on athletic fields, if they were to be constructed, would disturb the peace.
Residents have said the proposed development could also contribute to traffic congestion on West Front Street. Motorists would need to use West Front Street to reach Stevenson Park. Residents previously have said the route is already inundated with vehicles.
“The reason I got (to Middletown) in the first place is because my dad lived here in Shady Oaks,” Harry said. “I do have some ties here.”
On Oct. 20, Harry, along with five other residents, gathered to discuss the matter outside the boundaries of the town’s municipal chambers.
Barrett Theile, who lives in Shady Oaks, said, “I came and I saw this place, I looked out the window and I said to the realtor, ‘Are they going to build something over there? ’He said, ‘No that is a park. They will never build on that.’ I figured, hey, I’ll retire to a place that is nice and quiet.”
As impassioned residents voiced concerns on the matter, they took issue with the potential development of athletic fields near retirement homes, environmental disturbance and proposed vehicle congestion.
West Front Street, which runs through Red Bank, is an access route to Riverview Medical Center. Motorists use the West Front Street Bridge to travel into Red Bank. If an emergency were to take place, residents said, emergency vehicles could have trouble getting to and from the area.
“It takes me sometimes 20 minutes to a half hour to get over that bridge,” Marianne Kligman said. “These are senior communities. Ambulances visit all the time.”
Theile said emergency responders visit homes in the Shady Oaks community every three days to respond to phone calls that have been placed.
“Making this development here is totally inadequate,” Harry said. “This natural anomaly is really so valuable. Once it is gone, it’s gone. It so unique to have (this park) in town.”
Kligman followed, saying, “The people playing sports are not going to be happy coming.(Their parents) are going to be tied up in traffic. Traffic is going to back up all the way to the parkway and all the way up West Front Street.”
Residents also took note of the ecosystems they said are present at Stevenson Park.
“This land has been reclaimed. There are multiple ecosystems living in concert together. (Development) could be massively disruptive to the entire system. You are going to undo everything that is in there,” resident Matt Mauro said.
Residents said they plan to join forces with other individuals and candidates who are running for a seat on the Township Committee to try and defeat the conceptual redevelopment plan.
Residents agreed the opposition was not in protest of new athletic fields, but to preserve the passive area municipal officials have sought out as a potential sports complex.