Improvement Work Continues On The Edgar Field Project In Metuchen

METUCHEN, NJ – Last year Metuchen received $2 million in state funds to make improvements to the field at Edgar Middle School.

As of this month, work on the improvement project continues. Metuchen Mayor Jonathan M Busch gave the community an update on the project last week.

The improvement plan features new turf fields for soccer, youth soccer, baseball, softball and field hockey. The mark out on the full soccer field will be made for lacrosse, Busch said.

“Like Myrtle and Charles, Edgar Field will also have a pedestrian walking path around its perimeter. Great care was taken during the planning process to maintain as much of the park’s usable infrastructure as possible but some of it could not be saved,” the Mayor said.

The old bleachers at the field were no longer up to code and they will now be replaced with smaller bleachers, likes the ones currently in use at Myrtle Field.

Borough engineers also determined that some trees had to be removed as their roots would interfere with the new turf.

The Borough will be planting more trees to replace those it was forced to take down, Busch said.

“We were fortunate to be able to keep a number of older trees on the property which will have no impact on the new turf. Also, we were made aware of a bench that was originally placed at the park in honor of a former crossing guard who worked in front of the school for years. It was temporarily removed for construction purposes, but will be placed back at the park once the project is complete,” the Mayor said.

In addition to serving as a field and an outdoor gym for Edgar Middle School students, Edgar Filed can be used by the entire community. According to Busch, it will transform into a recreational hub that will enhance the neighborhood and “cement the school’s role as a community school.”

"The Edgar Field project will significantly expand the number of recreational opportunities for our community and we anticipate that we will be able to enjoy it on almost every day of the year,” Busch said.

“It is just one more way that the Borough is continuing to place significant emphasis on making major upgrades to Metuchen’s park and recreation spaces.”

Metuchen received the grant through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and is part of the 2023 NJ state budget.

(Editor's Note: An earlier version of the article said the grant was received by the Metuchen BOE, but it was received by the Borough)

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