Forest Road Park Improvements
Borough of Fanwood
The Fanwood Borough Council approved a resolution during a work session meeting held on Feb. 5, 2024, to apply for a New Jersey Department (DEP) Green Acres grant for phase 2 improvements at Forest Road Park. The vote followed a public hearing.
Mayor Mahr said phase one improvements, which were done in 2021, included improvements to the basketball courts, walking paths, the blacktop as well as new Pickleball courts.
Gary Oliva of CME Associates, Parlin, NJ, a civil engineering firm retained by the borough, presented a summary of the concept plan it has developed for the second phase of improvements at the park. He said the existing tennis courts are in poor condition and will be removed and the existing playground area will be expanded and reconstructed with new playground equipment and rubber mulch.
School One fourth grade teacher Ellen Young’s students addressed the mayor and council on their thoughts for Forest Road Park improvements.
The students’ said they wanted new playground equipment that is “exclusive and age appropriate” for kids as well as for those with disabilities, to fix and relocate the tennis courts, to add more green space for sports like football, lacrosse, soccer, and cheerleading, expand the paths for biking, running and walking dogs, and to add fencing and netting to the baseball field.
The Mayor said baseball field improvements could be done separately outside of the Green Acres grant.
“I want to thank you (the students) for taking time to care about the park that you play in and to come out to talk to us,” Mayor Mahr responded to the class.
Michael Loberfeld of Linden who previously resided on St Johns Place, bordering on Forest Road Park, said he would like to see the existing trees and shrubs stay intact. He said if the paths are widened, they should be inward and not outward into the existing wooded areas.
Phyllis Mahoney of Pleasant Avenue said there isn’t enough room to expand the paths, but she said there are safety issues with electric scooters and bikes sharing pathways with walkers and runners.
