The proposed Princeton Junction Pocket Park, discussed at three recent West Windsor Council meetings, will soon get a public showcase of its own. Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, noting that “it is important for the park’s neighbors to feel comfortable with the plans,” is arranging two public meetings to discuss the proposed plans.
The first meeting will be Friday, January 25, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the West Windsor Senior Center. An evening meeting at the senior center will also be scheduled. The current conceptual designs for the park, located on Alexander Road adjacent to the new 7-Eleven and Valero gas station, will be presented for public review and comment.
Construction of the paths through the park is now underway. Hsueh said he hopes that “we will begin planting in some sections of the park in the spring. Donations of trees and flowering shrubs have already been secured, and these need to be planted in early spring. We don’t want to delay this.”
In a press release, Hsueh stated that the pocket park had been originally envisioned by the 2003 Open Space Utilization Task Force as a park that would contain lawn games, a fountain, gardens, and possibly a pavilion or storage building. A second document, known as the Sustainability Element of the Township Master Plan, which was developed in the fall of 2009, and approved by both the Planning Board and Township Council, included a recommendation to “create a cultural garden that celebrates and demonstrates the different inspiration, philosophy, style, and techniques of ornamental gardening in other cultures to cultivate a respect and understanding of the diverse cultural background of residents.”
This vision of the pocket park coincides with the redevelopment of the east side of the Princeton Junction business district. In his statement, the mayor explained that design development sketches for the park were developed last summer by the township landscape architect and a Rutgers University landscape architecture student who interned with the township. Noted Shanghai Landscape Architect Yunhua Hu and members of the local Indian American community met with the landscape architect and summer intern and provided additional insight regarding traditional cultural elements and plantings.
Hsueh said that little Township money will be spent to build the pocket park. “The only things the Township will have to pay for are the county permits for grading and soil erosion, which are required, and will cost about $1,000. We expect the rest of the money will come from donations.”
As a 501(c) 3 organization, the Friends of West Windsor Open Space (FOWWOS) can accept charitable donations. Alison Miller, president of FOWWOS, explained that “anybody, even corporations, can donate money through FOWWOS to help fund the pocket park, and will receive a tax deduction. This works well for everyone.” Miller added that this project, “will make the downtown into a more attractive place for residents, and will help attract more tenants to Windsor Plaza.”
Train Station Park? Mayor Hsueh also stated he hopes to improve the landscaping in another portion of West Windsor — the area off Wallace Road adjacent to the Princeton Junction train station, which is owned by NJ Transit. Mayor Hsueh has been considering this idea for some time — an idea also promoted by resident Pete Weale in a letter published in the March 16, 2012, issue of the WW-P News.
In fact, Mayor Hsueh said that “the Township had contacted NJ Transit and we had planned to have a meeting in early November to discuss this with them, but we had to postpone because of Hurricane Sandy.”
Community Development Director Pat Ward confirmed that she has since been in contact with NJ Transit officials and will be scheduling a meeting with them. “They are very supportive of the idea and are looking forward to working with us on this,” Ward said.
