Opinion: Repeal Turf Fields at Cross Farm Park

598

By Sheila F. Gilstein, Holmdel |
I want to applaud the reorganized Holmdel Township Committee for having the fiscal responsibility to introduce a first reading to repeal the $3.3 million ordinance to install synthetic turf fields at Cross Farm Park, known as Ordinance 2016-13. On Feb. 14, the Committee will hold public comment and a vote on repealing these synthetic turf fields.
Cross Farm currently is a beautiful park with 13 soccer/lacrosse fields, 4 baseball fields, archery field, playground, walking trail, and concession stand, and several undeveloped acres that showcase our rural and natural life still available in Holmdel. The proposed changes to Cross Farm Park, which included synthetic turf fields and related facilities including bleachers, fencing, and 80-foot lights, were ill-conceived from the beginning, which resulted in a large petition, a lawsuit, and a potentially large and expensive referendum campaign.
I urge every Holmdel resident to write our Township Committee (holmdeltownship-nj.com) to vote yes on Ordinance 2017-02 repealing Cross Farm Synthetic Turf Fields. Come to the Feb. 16 meeting at 7:30 p.m. to show your support of this resolution and support the Township Committee in finding a better solution in cooperation with the Holmdel Board of Education for our town’s athletic needs.


This opinion piece was first published in the Feb. 2-9, 2017 print edition of The Two River Times.Â