Debbie Harry Gets Involved In Fight Over Middletown Soccer Fields

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Middletown residents, including former Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry, have criticized the Township's plans to build soccer fields at Stevenson Park, and Middletown is backing down in response.

“The Township is in desperate need of soccer and lacrosse fields, which is a big reason why Stevenson Park has been considered,” said Mayor Kevin Settembrino in a statement provided to Patch. “However, since the community has expressed its feelings against the project, the Township Committee is looking into other alternatives."

Middletown shelved plans to build an entire recreation complex at Stevenson Park, with potentially up to nine fields along with 350 parking spots, but that has been scaled back now to only two soccer/lacrosse fields, which would have no overhead lights and only be used for weekend games.

Not good enough, said nearby residents, including Harry. She and other residents who live near the park want it to remain just the way it is: A quiet meadow with some picnic tables. Stevenson Park is essentially a nature preserve.

"As an environmentalist, I'm very interested in making sure that green spaces are left to function in our modern world," Harry told the Asbury Park Press in an interview about the issue. According to the APP, Harry owns a property on West Front Street that abuts the woods of Stevenson Park.

"My dogs love it" she said. "We walk around back there."

"The main thing is that it won't be appropriate here because of the traffic and the entrance and exit, (a single-lane bridge) each way," said Barrett Thiele, 77, who lives in the Shady Oaks condo complex next door.

So, Middletown is backing off.

"We have identified two unused baseball fields located next to already-existing soccer fields at Bayview school which are now being considered," said Settembrino. "But it is still too premature to discuss this as a definitive location as we would need the Board of Education’s approval.”

Photo: Debbie Harry from Blondie greets Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at BBC Radio 2 Studios on May 4, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Philip Toscano - WPA Pool /Getty Images)