By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR An Asian garden theme for a planned park in Princeton Junction has received favorable reactions in recent weeks but it looks like Councilman Bryan Maher won’t be joining supporters anytime soon.
Mr. Maher emerged as one of the park’s biggest critics on Feb. 4, arguing that any ethnic-themed park was overstepping the boundaries when it comes to public property. He particularly thought the Asian theme would be “out of place” in the downtown business district.
”A Chinese park in between a 7-Eleven and a PJ’s Pancake House both apple pie, all-American aspects,” said Mr. Maher that evening. “You couldn’t get more out of character.”
Councilwoman Kristina Samonte said she thought his choice of words had racial overtones.
”I am personally offended,” said Ms. Samonte. “I want to refrain from that kind of language.”
In a follow up interview, Ms. Samonte specified she was bothered by Mr. Maher’s use of the words “all-American.”
”The United States is a melting pot of the world and West Windsor is a reflection of that,” she said on Feb. 5. “I think the park is a celebration of diversity and the beauty and strength of it.”
With the help of a Rutgers intern last summer, Dan Dobromilsky, the township landscape architect, sketched a concept for the 1.5-acre pocket park that features traditional Chinese, Japanese and Indian gardening styles and plants.
Taking into consideration recommendations from a 2003 Open Space Task Force and the sustainability element in the Township Master Plan, Mr. Dobromilsky opted for the Asian theme to give West Windsor something unique and to foster a civic gardening club.
”The main idea is to start getting a garden club to champion this park it wasn’t intended to promote one particular ethnicity,” said Mr. Dobromilsky at the meeting. “It’s more than just a space to go to, but a place people can come together and meet each other.”
Mr. Dobromilsky’s design includes features such as a zig zag bridge, a Chinese-inspired gazebo, traditional Asian vegetation, a moon gate with a small sitting area and a small picnic area which surround a town green.
However, Mr. Maher was concerned about the level of detail in the concept, which he thought led people to believe the design of the park was a “fait accompli.” Although Mr. Dobromilsky said preliminary drawing was just to show what could be possible, Mr. Maher remained unconvinced.
”They’re showing one thing and saying something different, which is troublesome and indicative of the mayor’s track record,” said Mr. Maher on Feb. 5. “He puts something out there that he wants to do and then we have to get in line that’s not how democracy works.”
He also criticized the amount of time it has taken Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh to start the pocket park project, which was designated to become a park back in 2003.
”They say ‘Bryan, you don’t understand how things work in government,’ but I know how things work in life,” he added. “He can use it as an excuse to not get anything accomplished, but I’m going to hold them to the standards on how the real world operates.”
Mayor Hsueh, on Feb. 5, said the council and its complaints are the main reason behind project delays. In regards to the park, he said they needed to wait until the Valero gas station finished its redevelopment.
The township had agreed to let the Valero use the park property during the construction and in return they would re-grade the land and construct the sidewalks and landscaping. The proposed park will be built entirely on donations and contributions, which can be tax deductible if donations are made through the nonprofit Friends of West Windsor Open Space. It is expected that benefactors as well as the gardening club will be able to mold and shape the design of the park. Mr. Maher was concerned it would involve taxpayer money to maintain it, but Mr. Dobromilsky said the gardening club would ultimately be the ones taking care of it at no cost to taxpayers.
Residents Pete Weale and Jim Solloway also shared Mr. Maher’s concerns about the park using taxpayer dollars.
”I don’t want this to be a ‘pick our pocket park,’” said Mr. Solloway, who didn’t have a problem with the theme. “I hope whatever the theme, the park goes forward as rapidly as possible.”
Other members of the public came forward to voice their support of the park. Some liked the Asian theme, others such as resident Andrew Kulley didn’t mind it.
”Personally, I’m not offended by the Asian theme,” said Mr. Kulley. “I hope arguments over themes don’t derail the council’s support in this project.”
Mary Ann McKiernan thought the park’s concept was “very awesome.”
”I don’t see anything wrong with it I don’t see what everyone’s problem with it is,” she added.
Others, such as resident Janet Lerner, agreed with Ms. Samonte about there being an undercurrent of prejudice in regards to the opposition to the Asian theme.
”I’m not pointing any fingers at anyone specific, but I find it worrisome,” she said. “I would enjoy seeing an Asian theme.”
Mayor Hsueh was also concerned about the racial undertones, particularly because he said it is hindering some individuals from making donations to the park in fear of the politics and controversy that is at play.
”This is one thing I am afraid of that some are discouraging people from stepping forward,” said Mayor Hsueh on Feb. 5. “Hopefully people will slowly come along to understand this is how we bring this community together.”
