JACKSON – Township officials turned their attention to Jackson’s recreational facilities during a recent meeting noting a need for more football fields within the community and pavilions, bathrooms and an amphitheater for Johnson Memorial Park.
Gerald DeFelicis, senior project manager of planning at Colliers Engineering made a presentation to the governing body about his firm’s evaluation of existing parks.
“We took a step back and looked at all the changes since 2010, and in relation to the growth of the town we looked at your needs.” He said by state law this needs to be reviewed every 10 years. The conclusion of the evaluation was that the township “did a very good job at meeting the recreation needs of the residents.”
DeFelicis said “a lot of the recommendations made in the 2010 plan have been enacted. There was a discussion of having more neighborhood parks, you built those so a lot of what you set out to do have been achieved. I worked with the Jackson Pathfinder group – they were very helpful – and with the County Land Trust – who were also very helpful. It is all positive.”
DeFelicis noted that with Jackson’s population growth was rapidly rising and its recreational needs were evolving. “There seems to be needs for additional football fields. I heard that from a couple different sources. You have some places where you could conceivably do that. That came up as an additional need.”
He added that with the amount of use that Johnson Park got, a restroom would be warranted. There used to be one but it is not there anymore. An amphitheater is planned for that park, but it is still in the design phase.
Another need he mentioned are pickle ball courts “which is something we are seeing from all over the state.” Pickle ball is less strenuous on the knees and hips so there is more of an interest there. He noted that the town wouldn’t remove tennis courts, just make them multi-functional so they can be used for both sports. Again, Johnson Park was an option for a location.
He also noted areas where handicapped accessible facilities were needed and could be done over time. He cited one park that he said “should have a walkway to the playground. Wood Lane, Johnson Park, Putnum Park were among those facilities that have stone parking lots. As you get further use you may wish to consider having some of those parking lots paved.”
DeFelicis added, another consideration was for a community center for the Township Recreation Department which would be a long-range project. “That was something that came up in our discussions as to where it goes that is optional but a 12-month a year facility that could serve for winter sports.”
Councilman Alex Sauickie asked if there are any other facilities that Jackson doesn’t have that they could look into.
“You have the spray ground and you have met most of the range,” DeFelicis responded. “I analyzed all your facilities and compared them to national averages. You are on par to where you should be. The other thing we see which you have are walking trails.”
Council Vice President Andrew Kern brought up gaga pits which DeFelicis said would be put in Justice Park where a summer camp was held. “I think that would be the logical place.”
Councilman Nino Borrelli brought up the idea of pavilions at Johnson Park and possibly more seating for residents. “We’re trying to make Johnson Park a destination for people like Windward Park in Brick and Gille Park in Lacey. More picnic areas, too.”
DeFelicis noticed the lack of shade in that park near the picnic areas. “I noticed that grandparents would bring out kids and it got a little hot out there for them. Those are the kind of things that would be recommended. Doing some pavilions in various places that could serve as gathering spots. There is an area behind the playground at Johnson which looks like it could be turned into another field area, possibly a football field as is needed.”
Council President Martin Flemming noted with some irony that within that area, at one time “the whole thing was a dump.”
