West Windsor’s proposal for a “pocket park” next to the Valero station at Route 571 and Alexander Road received glowing reviews at two public presentations showcasing the preliminary design — with some Asian-style elements. But it got less glowing reviews at the Township Council meeting on February 4.
The harshest brickbat was thrown by Councilman Bryan Maher, who criticized the “Asian-themed” aspects of the park. “I have a big problem with this park, because it has an ethnic theme,” said Maher, whose letter on the subject appears on page 5. “It is on public property, plus, think about its location. It is between the 7-Eleven and PJ’s Pancake House. This is an apple pie, all-American part of town. This Asian theme is over the top. Who is driving this, anyway?”
Council Vice President Kristina Samonte reacted to Maher’s statements, saying that “I am offended by the tone you have used when talking about Asians. I am married to an Asian-American who has served this country and I am offended.”
Maher shot back: “You can be offended, but I don’t want an ethnic park.” The exchange subsided when Council President George Borek stated, “Kristina has a point, Bryan.”
Several residents also commented on the proposed park. David Siegel, who lives in Berrien City, stated that, “I have been to both pocket park presentations, as well as this one. I haven’t found anyone who finds it distasteful. I live very close to the park, and it is not offensive to me. There has been no time in the past that the Council has gotten involved in the design of a park and trying to raise conflict over the supposed theme is very unwise.”
Andy Bromberg, who also said that he had attended all of the pocket park open meetings, added, “I appreciate Linda Geevers’ comments that we need to move [the development of] the park along, but I don’t like the perception of anti-Asian sentiment from some people on the Council.”
Andrew Kulley, a member and trustee of Friends of West Windsor Open Space (FOWWOS), explained that interested individuals can make a tax-deductible donation to develop the pocket park. “This is the same process we employed for the 9/11 memorial, and it worked very well.” He added, “I am not offended by an Asian theme. Our town is 47 percent Asian, so maybe this will help us get contributions for the park. But the most important thing is to do something. I hope the arguments over the theme don’t derail the project.”
Added Mary Ann Kiernan: “The park is awesome. There is nothing wrong with a Chinese theme, an Indian theme, or a pagoda. We don’t need to have parking, sports fields, or kids’ equipment here. I want a neighborhood park where I can read a book in the shade.” Other residents expressing support for the proposed park included Alison Miller, Janet and Alan Lerner, and Allen Marx.
Another resident, Jim Solloway, noted that “I am not against the pocket park, or its theme. I am just worried that the $200,000 needed to build the park won’t actually be privately funded; that the Township will get involved [financially]. I think before we start with a concept, we need a budget.”
John Church said that, “I have an Asian daughter-in-law, and two Asian grandchildren. I do not think my daughter-in-law would want this park to have a specific theme. However, I think the pocket park is a great idea. I am not opposed to having beautiful Asian flowering trees, or plants,” Church added, noting that his concern was with the architectural aspects such as the pagoda.
In response to the presentation by Township landscape architect Dan Dobromilsky, Linda Geevers asked if the “Asian theme a done deal, or can it be more of an ‘international theme?’”
Dobromilsky explained that the concept was developed “to move the project along, and to encourage people to donate time and money. We are looking to start a garden club here in town, and have a group or groups of residents commit to developing the park or portions of the park. This design is a concept only, and these plans are not set in stone. We do recognize that we may not raise all of the money we need at once, and then the park will have to be completed in stages.”
