Feb. 16th Vote on Turf Fields at Cross Farm Park

HOLMDEL, NJ - Do you want to see turf fields installed at Cross Farm Park? Or no? Either way, everyone in Holmdel is invited to give their two cents on this important issue at a public meeting that will be held Thursday, Feb. 16 at the Township building at 4 Crawfords Corner Road. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.

As it stands currently, the turf field issue will be put to the entire Township to vote in a referendum on Nov. 7. However, if three out of the five Township Committee members vote "yes" on Feb. 16, there will be no referendum vote in November. You can let the Township Committee know your thoughts by showing up Feb. 16th; members of the public will be able to speak for three minutes each and give their opinion on the turf fields.

If you cannot speak Feb. 16, you can also write to the Township Committee.

"Most people in Holmdel support these fields," said Maria Gordon, a Holmdel resident, and a mom of three boys. "There is a small minority that doesn't want the fields. All we're asking for is the chance to vote on these turf fields on Nov. 7."

Below, is a Letter to the Editor from a Holmdel resident against the turf fields:

I want to applaud the reorganized Holmdel Township Committee for having the fiscal responsibility to introduce a first reading to repeal the $3.3M ordinance to install synthetic turf fields at Cross Farm Park, known as Ordinance 2016-13.

On February 16th, the Committee will hold public comment and vote on repealing these synthetic turf fields. Cross Farm currently is a beautiful park with 13 soccer/lacrosse fields, 4 baseball fields, an archery field, playground, walking trail, and concession stand, and several undeveloped acres that showcase our rural and natural life still available in Holmdel. The proposed changes to Cross Farm Park, which included synthetic turf fields and related facilities including bleachers, fencing, and 80-foot lights, were ill-conceived from the beginning, which resulted in a large petition, a lawsuit and a potentially large and expensive referendum campaign.

I urge every Holmdel resident to write our Township Committee (holmdeltownship-nj.com) to vote YES on Ordinance 2017-02 repealing Cross Farm Synthetic Turf Fields. Come to the February 16th meeting at 7:30 p.m. to show your support of this resolution and support the Township Committee in finding a better solution in cooperation with the Holmdel Board of Education for our town’s athletic needs.

Sheila F. Gilstein, Holmdel

Past Patch coverage:

Holmdel Sued In Battle Over Turf Fields at Cross Farm Park

Holmdel Mayor Eric Hinds Stands Up for Turf Fields at Cross Farm Park