The Mercer County Park Commissions’ draft of their master plan for Dam Site 21 faced public disapproval at its reveal at the Conference Center at Mercer County Community College on Tues. November 13, 2019.
The project aims to develop a 280 acre property of wetlands and woodlands that lies across several townships and is less than a mile from the MCCC West Windsor campus. The plan includes development of facilities for “water-based programming” and “other activities” that the Parks Commission says don’t presently exist at any of their other locations.
The master plan was drafted by planning and designing firm, Simone Collins Landscape Architecture. According to their website, they are “committed to creating an ecologically enduring society.”
Peter Simone, the Project Principal for Simone Collins Landscape Architecture, presented the majority of the draft with assistance from Project Manager Sarah Leeper.
After the presentation, attendees were allotted a time limit of three minutes to speak freely and ask questions to Simone about the draft. However, many spoke for much longer, some nearing as much as ten minutes.
The Mercer County Park Commissions is headed by Executive Director Aaron Watson who remained silent throughout the heated public comments portion of the meeting.
Residents of Mercer County expressed a strong opposition to the renovation of Dam Site 21.
When speaking against the proposed access points local resident Jeniffer Cordell said that existing facilities already exist.
She stated the access points “are not meant for what they have now, let alone the addition of [more activity].”
Douglas Tindall, a West Windsor Township resident, said he will be the most affected by the Dam Site 21 project.
Tindall leases part of his farmland from Mercer County. However, the draft plan requires the reclaiming of the leased land over time.
Some individuals spoke who are in favor of the renovation but were not as outspoken as those opposed.
One person in favor of the renovation is a resident of Hamilton Township who did not state her name during her public comment.
She said, “To see people protest a park, it’s just a little bit sad.”
There is a 60 day grace period to allow Mercer County Park Commissions and Simone Collins Landscape Architecture to develop the final draft for Dam Site 21. Public input may be considered and it will be revealed in January of next year.
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Find additional coverage of Dam Site 21 by The VOICE at www.mcccvoice.org/dam-21/.
