New Splash Park, Community Garden, Turf Field Announced In Edison

EDISON, NJ — Here's some good news for Edison residents. During his first State of the Township address, Mayor Sam Joshi announced three major projects to be undertaken by the township.

The projects include a splash park in Papaianni Park, a community garden in Swales Park, and major upgrades to the Toth Health Center.

"After the past few years of this pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we preserve and expand these open-air spaces so our community can have the same wonderful experience I did growing up here in Edison," Joshi said.

"That’s why I’m so excited to announce our first three municipal projects. These capital initiatives will create safe spaces for us to gather, learn, play – and like I did so many years ago… dream big about the future!"

The splash park in Papaianni Park will include cultural artifacts reimagined as sprinklers, splash zones, and tipping buckets of water. It will center around a model of the Edison Tower. The park will be fully enclosed with a fence.

The Papaianni Park will also receive a new turf field, as well as upgrades to directional signage and maps to ensure visitors can navigate the park with ease.

The second project, a community garden in Swales Park, will boast of 38 beds for fruits and vegetables. There will be work tables and a shed for storing supplies. Although the garden is being built by the Township, a nonprofit will run it, said Joshi.

During his address, Joshi said the Toth Health Center on Idlewild Road will be expanded with an approximately two thousand square foot improvement project. It will soon be renamed the "Toth Health and Senior Center" with programming at this location complementing the activities at the Edison Senior Center on Woodbridge Avenue.

Joshi said that 15 percent of Edison residents are 65 or older, with many having lived in town for decades. "They have seen our town through highs and lows and are a vital part of our community,” Joshi said.

“The Toth Senior and Health Center will create a one-stop service area where seniors can receive medical attention and socialize with their friends, and our health department leaders will use the space for important community health and resource events.”

The baseball field behind the Toth Center will soon be renovated with a new turf baseball diamond.

(In the next few days, Patch will highlight each project and provide more details)

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