Park Meeting Round-Up – December 2013 1

Park Meeting Round-Up – December 2013 meeting

Disclaimer:  These are not the official minutes of the meeting, only a recollection of the highlights.

Another Exciting Park Meeting

Two Thousand Thirteen began with a couple of Town Hall meetings and a lot of skepticism on whether anything can be done with Oakland’s 40 acres of open space.  This land was once a place for fun, family and laughter and has sat neglected for 26+ years.  Over the past twelve months Oakland has seen the park’s rebirth which includes the formation of a formal committee; the beginning of modest fundraising and a plan to have the park open in its most basic form in the spring of 2014.

Last night’s meeting ended the year in exciting fashion, where plans to open the first set of walking trails are now only a formality away.  The plan is to clean and open up the existing trails that start at the Doty Road entrance, extend through the Pleasureland area, up past the Great Oak Tree, into and around the river side of Muller’s Park and loop back.  These walking trails will be approximately ½ mile long and have appropriate signage so hikers can find their way around.  In the same plan will be the cleaning up of an area to prepare it for a future parking lot.  The parking lot will hold approximately113 cars and is located over the former Pleasureland pools; which have since been removed and filled.

The committee is fortunate that a new scout came forward last night offering to begin a second project;  possibly more walking trails, or cleaning of the Doty Rd park area, perhaps clearing around the Great Oak Tree or creating historical signage for Pleasureland and Muller’s Park artifacts.  A lot of ideas were shared and at the January meeting he will be back with a proposal for the committee.

The committee reviewed their latest tour of the property which included examining the conditions of old picnic tables and whether they can be re-used.  Muller’s Park had concrete picnic table and benches that were left in the far north corner.  Most likely these tables are still in the exact place they were in when FRG abandoned the property.  Over the past 26 years, trees have grown around, through and between the benches.  It is uncertain whether any can be salvaged or it is best to leave them so they may remain as artifacts.  A further conversation with professionals will follow to make that determination.

Included in the tour was an investigation of dead and dangerous trees and branches.  Over the years of park neglect some trees have died and fallen and others are rotting in their upright position.  A Shade Tree Commissioner accompanied the committee on the tour and gave his evaluation of what trees need to be removed for the safety of people in the park as well as helping the existing plant and wildlife continue to flourish.

Some more fundraising ideas were tossed around and are seriously being considered.  As mentioned many times over, this project will need to raise funds.  Anyone interested in helping in this effort please contact the committee, this is something where everyone can participate.

We now look to 2014 and what will be the next chapter in the rehabilitation of the park property.  Expect the park to open in the spring with walking trails and signage.  We expect the master plan to be completed and dialogue with the DEP to begin.  Hopefully the town can discuss with the DEP issues such as preserving and protecting the stream, what can and cannot be placed in the park, preserving the great history of the land and fundraising  in preparation of making this the best passive recreation park in NJ if not America.

Enjoy your holiday’s everyone see you at the next park meeting on January 14th, 8:00pm in the Danny D’Elia Building.

Mike Guadagnino
Chairman
Park Committee

Please follow the parks progress at NewOaklandPark.com
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