The Mercer County Park Commission recently began planning for future park improvements at a County property located in Hamilton, West Windsor and Robbinsville townships. Dam Site 21 is a 370-acre tract that will be the focus of a series of public meetings to discuss enhancements at the site. The first meeting was held March 7.
The second public meeting will be held Thursday, May 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Conference Center at Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.
Initially purchased in the late 1970’s for flood-control purposes, the land contains a portion of Miry Run, a stream that flows from Robbinsville through part of Hamilton and eventually drains into the Delaware River. After acquiring the property, the county constructed a series of dams to mitigate area flooding in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service.
As a result, the property now features a 55-acre lake surrounded by undeveloped uplands, wetlands, woodlands and open fields.
The park commission invites community members to participate in the public meeting and to hear and see some initial improvement concepts for the site.
“Our consultant team of landscape architects and scientists has developed a preliminary approach for conserving and improving the natural resources of the park through a long-term program of invasive species removal and habitat enhancement,” said Aaron T. Watson, executive director of the park commission. “We hope to create trails in the park for visitors of all abilities, so that they can experience and enjoy this beautiful site. Additionally, the team is suggesting some unique improvements for the county to consider that will allow visitors to enjoy some of the park’s special features in new ways.”
The next public meeting will held Thursday, Oct. 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Boathouse at Mercer Lake.
Simone Collins Landscape Architecture of Norristown, Pa., and Princeton Hydro of Ringoes have been contracted to assist the County in designing park improvements.
Additional information on the project and a schedule of public meetings can be found here.
Dam Site 21 will be redesigned to feature passive recreational activities to enhance usability and expand upon County parkland.,
