Moorestown Council To Address Soccer Field Proposal Sept. 10

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council will discuss a proposal for the soccer fields during the workshop portion of the Sept. 10 council meeting, but on Monday night, they addressed some misconceptions about the project.

A recent social media post led some residents to believe that eight soccer fields were being developed at Memorial Field, and that an additional 244 parking spaces would be added. These residents showed up to confront council at its meeting on Monday night, Aug. 20.

Their concerns included additional traffic in the area, the placement of a massive complex in the middle of a residential area and the fact that the township hadn’t shared any information with the public about the proposed project.

“I am offended that the township didn’t inform the community and that you would put a complex like this in the middle of a residential area,” one resident said.

Council members noted there is some misinformation out there concerning the project. Moorestown Deputy Mayor Manny Delgado apologized for not sharing the plans with the residents because he is the member personally involved and working with Taylor Design Group. He clarified that the project doesn’t call for a massive recreation complex in the middle of a residential area.

Memorial Field currently has three soccer fields, five baseball fields and one softball field, according to the township’s website. Delgado said the township was considering replacing the baseball and softball fields with three soccer fields.

He said this would actually cut down on traffic in the area because there would only be soccer fields at the complex. The tee-ball and slo-pitch softball currently played at Memorial Field would continue on a smaller scale at John Pryor Park.

He also said some people currently park in a random pattern at Memorial Field, and the only change to parking would be to add lines to create actual spots for those cars to park in. It would amount to an additional row of parking, possibly a grand total of 244 spots, but not 244 additional spots, officials said.

Resident Roberta Scott told council to understand if residents remained “scared, concerned and skeptical,” given the fact that the township didn’t tell residents about this project, and they had to hear about it first on social media. She also said people using those fields already cut through her yard.

“This will greatly impact us,” she said. “What will council do to make sure we are all informed before we happen to see it on social media? You can understand how we feel when we see that online and we know nothing else.”

Council members said they will notify residents of any discussions the township will have concerning the fields. Residents can also sign up at the township’s website to receive notifications about upcoming meetings and events.

The workshop sessions are typically held at 7 p.m. the night of the official council action meetings, although the past several have been canceled. The township typically posts the agenda on the township’s website the Friday before a council meeting. Agendas can be found here.

Image via Shutterstock