By MARK RENFREE
Grandparents Park Site
Grandparents Park Site
Credits: Malik Lyons
January 13, 2021 at 2:58 PM
SOMERSET, NJ – A project to build what the town is calling a “grandparents park” is drawing criticism from residents who said the plan furthers the erosion of “bucolic” Franklin. Concerns over safety, the park’s potential impact on wildlife and the site’s proximity to other parks and amenities brought at least 30 residents out in opposition to the project at last night’s special council meeting dedicated to the proposal.
Officials said the estimated $550,000 in funding for the project would come from the town’s Open Space Trust Fund – generated by a special tax that can only be spent on developing and preserving open space, farmland and historic properties. The money raised through this tax cannot be used for general budgeting by the town.