News

Shunpike ready for closeup

Tuesday, September 30, 2008, 11:54AM

By TRACY NESS
Independent Press

CHATHAM TWP. - It was a double dose of good news for the Chathams as the Chatham Athletic Foundation (CAF) Fundraising Gala raised more than $90,000 for field renovations and Township Mayor Kevin Tubbs said they are very optimistic that the DEP will approve the proposed Shunpike Field redevelopment plan.

"We have met with the DEP on several occasions and we believe that this plan is something they could approve," said Mr. Tubbs. "But it is not over until we have the approval in hand."
This would be the second field renovation project jointly funded by the CAF, Chatham Borough and Chatham Township with the first, Lum Avenue Field, having been completed in 2007. The towns agreed that the projects would alternate between the towns with fields servicing the most sports given precedence.

While the construction of Lum proceeded without incident, the Shunpike Field renovation has been delayed due to wetland and stream encroachment issues with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP.) In 2007, the township hired Ecol Systems Inc., a firm that specializes in mitigating property issues, to conduct an environmental assessment of the existing field complex along with a 17-acre parcel adjacent to the site. The 17-acre parcel was deemed not developable due to wetlands and issues came up with the developed field site because of exceptional resource value wetlands that require a standard transition area of 150 feet. There is also a problem with a brook that requires a 300-foot stream buffer zone on either side of it.

Working with Township Engineer John Rushke of Hatch Mott MacDonald, the fields have been repositioned to minimally impact the buffer zone and the Township Committee was given a new preliminary field plan at its meeting on Sept. 25. The plan calls for one large turfed multi-sport field positioned toward the bottom right of the complex similar to the field constructed at Lum. The two baseball fields would be repositioned and a second multi-sport grass field would be located on the left side. There has been talk of lighting the turf field to maximize its use but it may be cost prohibitive given the size of the overall project.

Mayor Tubbs said he plans to meet with neighbors in the Sunset Lake area to discuss the changes to the field and find out if they have any concerns. "I am sure they will want to discuss parking in their neighborhood and we would be willing to limit parking in that area," he said. Mr. Tubbs said he plans to schedule the meeting in the next two weeks.

Despite difficult financial times, the CAF Gala exceeded expectations raising more money than expected bringing its total for the Shunpike project of between $350,000 to $375,000. CAF President Tom Winter said, "We were overwhelmed by the generosity given the financial turmoil of the past few months. We have to thank the local merchants who support this effort, the auction donors and winners and all the attendees and donors who make these projects happen." Mr. Winter said that the Lum and future Shunpike projects are great examples of what can be accomplished when the community and local governments work together. The mayors of both towns and various council and committee members attended the gala along with Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen. Mr. Winter said that the CAF will be reviewing its grant program in January and hopes to be able to continue providing money where it is needed

© 2011 Chatham Athletic Foundation

Email: theboard@chathamathleticfoundation.org