Lion Gate Lighting Update: Bloomfield Council Approves Contract

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Another big step has been taken in an attempt to bring lights to Lion Gate Park in Bloomfield.

Earlier this week, the Bloomfield Town Council voted 5-2 to approve a resolution that awards a $275,000 contract to Musco Lighting to provide and install athletic field lighting at the park, which is currently being used for soccer games. Read More: Lights At Lion Gate: Debate Over Athletic Field Lighting In Bloomfield

Nicholas Joanow and Ted Gamble voted no on the resolution. Jenny Mundell, Sarah Cruz, Wartyna Davis, Rich Rockwell and Mayor Michael Venezia voted yes.

Watch the meeting footage below (video is cued to the discussion/vote).

Earlier in the meeting, Davis said that she, Joanow and Rockwell recently met with some of the residents living in the impacted area and listened to their concerns about the lighting proposal and other issues, such as noise, which have come with development at Lion Gate.

According to Davis, the conversation turned to possibly creating an 8:30 p.m. cutoff time for lights at the field – which would require the passage of a separate ordinance.

Watch the meeting footage below (video is cued to the discussion/vote).

LIGHTING AT LION GATE

Lion Gate Park in Bloomfield has been seeing praise from local officials and environmentalists since its transformation from a contaminated manufacturing site into “urban wetlands” and park space. The project – which has been described as one of the largest infrastructure projects in the town’s recent history – recently got a thumbs up from nonprofit environmental organization New Jersey Future, which gave it a “Smart Growth” award in 2022. Read More: Lion Gate Park Is Roaring Good Addition To Bloomfield

But lately, the town’s new open space is also becoming a source of irritation for some residents, who are complaining about the plan to install field lighting at the property.

Joanow previously noted that there are homes within 200 feet of the park, which could be a quality of life issue.

“Bottom line as a homeowner, I'm entitled by law for peace, tranquility and peace of mind on my property,” Joanow said at the July 17 town council meeting. “The extension of hours on this site interferes with that quality of life of me, others or taxpayers and homeowners on this particular site.”

Citing previous emails and statements made during community meetings, planning board member Gregory Babula claimed that multiple township officials have said the athletic field at the park will operate from dawn to dusk – and would not include field lighting. The current lighting proposal seems to contradict those statements, he said at the July 17 meeting.

“Virtually every square inch of Bloomfield has been developed in one way or another,” Babula said. “Although we do have open spaces, they have been largely modified to satisfy human priorities, not to support the natural environment.”

Bloomfield town officials have noted at previous meetings that they have received emails in support of the lighting proposal, as well.

The township held a public meeting on Aug. 8 to discuss the plan.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Bloomfield Facebook page.