Hanson Park

I attended a meeting at the Community Center last week to learn more about what’s being planned for Hanson Park   Cranford acquired the two-acre parcel on Springfield Avenue 30 years ago from Dr. Hanson.    Dr. Hanson’s children urged the township to build a park with a flower garden that would be the envy of Union County.  A promise was made that the property would one day be a park.  That day appears to be hovering just beyond the horizon

Dan Aschenbach, township committeeman, gave a short overview of the progress to date and plans for the future.  He was quick to point out that the township committee wasn’t willing to raise taxes to build the park.  He said that while the township committee might have some tolerance for a long-term low interest rate loan to support the project, the majority of the money must come from grants, corporate donations and private fund- raising.   

Aschenbach said that the township had contracted Barretto-Dowd, a landscape architectural firm, to study the property and design a passive park.  The project has been divided into two phases.  The first phase is underway and will be completed by mid-April.  The cost is $100,000 and is funded by a Green Acres low interest rate loan awarded to the township for Hanson Park and the restoration of the Canoe Club.  What’s happening now is the rough work.  Some trees are being cleared, the property is being graded, a few gravel pathways will be built and underground cables will be run to support Victorian lamps and bollard lighting.

Aschenbach turned the meeting over to Dan Dowd, the principal architect and planner, who discussed various ideas for the second phase of the project.  This is the fun stuff - the canvas is prepared and artists can begin to create.  Dowd had drawn plans that included a symmetrical terraced formal garden, a wildflower garden, a butterfly garden, a bluestone patio, more pathways, a docking area for canoes, a forested wetland area with native vegetation and a parking area for as many as 14 cars.  The price tag to complete everything the plan calls for is $380,000.

Lynda Feder is president of the Hanson Park Conservancy, a group of dedicated individuals who will help coordinate various aspects of the project.  They will work with the design team of landscape architects, seek advice from environmental specialists, organize the volunteer effort as the park is built and continue to manage the grounds after the park is completed.  But right now, the Conservancy’s immediate charge is to raise money.

The general feeling of those attending the meeting is that grant money is available for this type of project.  Grants are ever so much nicer than loans.  Grants don’t have to be repaid.  In fact, Frank D’Antonio, Cranford’s director of Parks and Recreation, is putting the finishing touches on two different proposals that he will submit later this month.  The downside to grant money is the process moves slowly, there’s tremendous competition for the money and no guarantee of success.  Further, many of the grants will match only what a community raises on its own.   Fund-raising efforts for past worthy projects have received only modest support from community minded citizens.  An appeal that nets more than $20,000 is considered successful.   

So, what is going to happen?   Cranford will fall in love with Hanson Park.  Even so, there will probably be some give and take on the plans that have been drawn.   The fund-raising effort will meet with better than expected results.  It’s possible (likely?) that one or more interested individuals or corporate donors will underwrite specific parts of the project.  The butterfly garden, wildflower garden and the forested wetland area present wonderful opportunities for substantial gifts with naming rights recognition. 

Aschenbach said that money had to be in hand before any part of the second phase could be put out for bid.  He said, “Much will depend on the energy and spirit of the people involved.”  I believe that if applications for grants are successful, the money won’t be received before late summer.   The interesting changes will happen next year after the Conservancy and our Township Committee know how much money has been raised.  Hanson Park may not be completed for several years but everything that is done to improve this property makes Cranford a more desirable community.

Marc Kelley is a resident of Cranford and can be reached at mkelley@eclipse.net.