Two sites could host proposed dog park
BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer

MANALAPAN - Municipal officials may still proceed with the planned development of a dog park at the Village Green, Route 522, despite the possibility that a passenger rail station could one day be built at that location.

Mayor Andrew Lucas said given that the development of a rail station at the Village Green is not likely to occur for at least 10 to 15 years, there is no reason not to develop a dog park at the 5-acre township-owned property.

A Monmouth County Planning Board administrator recently suggested that Manalapan officials consider finding another location for the dog park. The administrator said Manalapan has identified the Village Green as a possible site for a passenger station if the Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex passenger rail line to South Brunswick is constructed. The administrator expressed concern that the dog park might have to be moved after it had become established at the Village Green.

Lucas said the possible construction of a passenger rail line and Manalapan station is not sufficient reason to scrap the idea of placing a dog park at the Village Green, which is about a quarter-mile east of Tennent Road. An existing rail line runs behind the Village Green and is presently used by freight trains.

Referring to plans that were drawn up several years ago for the development of Thompson Grove Park in the southern end of Manalapan, Lucas said the Township Committee may entertain the notion of developing a scaled-down dog park and dividing the project between the Village Green and Thompson Grove Park, off Thompson Grove Road.

Lucas said he is planning to scout both locations this week with township engineer Greg Valesi and Recreation Advisory Board members Rebecca Gins-berg and Michael Gross, who are spear-heading the dog park development project.

Officials estimate there are 2,300 licensed dogs in Manalapan.

Ginsberg has explained the proposed dog park as a place where visitors will be able to bring a dog and allow it to run off-leash within a fenced-in area. Her initial estimate for the construction of a dog park was between $75,000 and $100,000.

Lucas said he envisions cutting the project down to less than half the proposed cost and scope, with the project being divided between the Village Green and Thompson Grove Park.