Thompson Grove Park due for host of improvements
Manalapan officials informed of problems at Bucks Head Park
BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer
Rhoda Chodosh has been pushing Manalapan Township Committee members for years to develop a passive recreation park and a dog park in the community.

Chodosh is a happy woman this week after seeing the committee introduce an ordinance on Nov. 28 that will provide $75,000 for improvements to and the cleanup of Thompson Grove Park off Thompson Grove Road on the south side of Manalapan.

A public hearing and possible adoption of the ordinance is scheduled for the Dec. 12 committee meeting.

If the ordinance is adopted, the work to be done at Thompson Grove Park by employees of the Department of Public Works will include the installation of a stone road, three parking areas and wood-chip walking paths. An open grass area is also part of the plans.

Dogs on leashes will be allowed at the park, according to Deputy Mayor Michelle Roth.

Chodosh said she is delighted Thompson Grove Park will get a much-needed face-lift. She has frequented the park many times over the years and considered it her own little piece of paradise. However, she said she is not against sharing it with others and was pleased to hear that money for improvements will be provided.

"I am very excited and thankful to the governing body for seeking out more passive recreation. I never thought I would see the day when residents would be able to enjoy the natural beauty of the trails and lake of Thompson Grove Park. With this funding one of our most scenic and beautiful parks will be available for nature lovers and an asset for residents to enjoy for years to come," Chodosh said.

Thompson Grove Park is not the only park in Manalapan that promises to get a closer look from municipal officials.

Following complaints from residents of the Bucks Head development off Union Hill Road regarding the park in that neighborhood becoming a drinking and drug hangout for teens, the governing body promised to have police step up patrols in the area.

Residents told the members of the committee how the park has become a hangout where adults have to go after the weekend to clean up beer bottles and the remains of drug use. They said their children and young women have to avoid the area after dark due to a lack of lighting at the site. They said young girls are subjected to obscene catcalls by people who are protected by the darkness at the park.

One resident said his daughter is no longer allowed to walk the family dog in the vicinity of the park because the problem has grown worse.

Another resident spoke about retribution she received for calling police to report the problem. She said the retribution took the form of minor vandalism, such as her house having eggs thrown at it and pumpkins being smashed in the yard.

Committee members said they would try to include funding for 2008 for a cleanup of the park and for lighting. It was agreed that police would be consulted in order to glean their input as to what would best serve enforcement purposes, including curfew enforcement and the placement of lighting at Bucks Head Park.