| Author |
Message |
    
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 199
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 10:28 am: |     |
Has anyone else seen the big sign marking the Future Site of the 5000 sq' Animal Shelter, right on top of wooded corner of Ferrell Field Park (off Walton Ave), smack in the middle of residential area of South Orange?
Does anyone else find it ridiculous to start plowing over our Park Land for any use, when Springfield Avene is DYING for an inflow of uses, and has TONS of available locations for both leasing and new construction?
Shouldn't parks be fiercely fought to be preserved, rather then slowly whittled away? Is there a reason we're now putting Business in the middle of Residentail neighborhoods?
I can't imagine this is economical, either....for the town to sell-off a plot of land big enough to house a 5000 sq. foot structure, I'd guess the land alone
I am personally appalled by this. Does anyone have the full story on this story? |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4252
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 11:24 am: | |
Isn't that building already built? |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1351
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 11:39 am: | |
Uh, Smarty, that building was completed more than a year ago. Old news. |
tjohn
Supporter
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 3977
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 11:39 am: | |
I think it has been built. But Smarty Jones is right. We can replace animals, but we can't replace land. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 203
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 12:04 pm: | |
If it's been built, then oddly there still a GIANT sign in front of a plot of Wooded land that says "Future Sight of 5000 sq. foot animal shelter" Where exactly is the building? Just curious, I couldn't see it from the road. Why is the sign still up? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10376
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 12:07 pm: | |
The building is in the public works facility next to and down the hill from Farrel Field.
NIMBY local residents tried to prove that the land used to build the shelter was part of the park and under green acres rules couldn't be developed.
I believe the case is now closed and the shelter will remain. |
Jennifer Pickett
Citizen
Username: Jpickett
Post Number: 143
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 12:40 pm: | |
Smarty, I agree the sign is stupid, but the shelter isn't swimming in money, so it serves to mark the site for now. I am involved with the shelter and think it is a good use of the land- the way that the landscape is at that section of the park is really not suited for recreation. It is swampy, and a large hill separates it from the rest of the park. It is also right next to the recycling depot, which is full of abandoned buildings, rusted out piles of metal, and a road with truck traffic in and out.
I think it is a good compromise because it is a secluded area for the dogs, with the depot and park to create a buffer zone for barking noise, and the swampy location is unsuitable for children to play, but wonderful for walking dogs away from strange people or pets. I'll ask someone if we can't at least tape over the "Future site of" part of the sign. Although there was some resistance, the shelter really appreciates the support of the neighbors and town, and everyone involved works hard to make it an asset to the community. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 206
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 1:07 pm: | |
Very interesting response, much appreciated and thanks Jennifer, I retract my initial feelings of apallment (word?). Clearly, the location worked out well, as I was unable to see it from the road.
I'm now going to ask a very sill question....when the dogs get walked, are you required to pick-up their droppings? Where do you dispose of this? |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6606
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 1:59 pm: | |
Jennifer-
I can't imagine that a simple sign would cost that much. Is there a place where you ask for donations & maybe local businesses can sponsor the sign and one of the two towns can donate the labor to install it? Or, I am sure that there are people in town who can dig a couple fence posts, fill them with cement & mount the sign on posts as a volunteer project as well.
|
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 207
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 2:14 pm: | |
It's not installing the sign, it's taking it down.... |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6607
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 2:29 pm: | |
From what I'm gathering, the old sign is still up because there is not enough money to replace it with a new sign. As you saw, the location is well hidden and it will be hard for animals to find homes if people can't find the place because it is unmarked. |
Alison
Citizen
Username: Alikoz
Post Number: 152
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 5:39 pm: | |
I live near the park and the shelter and actually feel the shelter makes the park feel a bit safer. The area by the recyling depot is CREEPY. The extra activity in that area keeps SOME of the riff raff away...
But this area is still pretty sketchy. The forensic evidence left under the bridge hints at all sorts of unsavory activities... |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1608
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 6:28 pm: | |
Alison -
YES! The area by the recycling is ultra creepy - that bridge scares me in the day time. It's not only the graffiti - even the flotsom in the weeds is menacing.
It's definitely one of those "no one can hear you scream" places.
|
Jennifer Pickett
Citizen
Username: Jpickett
Post Number: 144
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 7:53 pm: | |
Smarty- yes, we definitely have to pick up doggie doo, not just ours, but any else we find- that is a health issue we are very vigilant about. And I do this for free?? Hmm. We dispose of it in the garbage cans at the shelter in tied up baggies.
Greenetree- I'll have to ask someone in charge about the sign. I'm just guessing on the money issue, for all I know they have a sign on order, or the sign needs some neighborhood approval or something. I agree a better sign will definitely help potential adopters find the place, and it is about time for one, the shelter has been open for 7 months already.
Alison and Lydia- I agree! I'm glad I have a big dog with me when I'm around there. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 3698
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 9:18 pm: | |
Jennifer-
If it's a matter of money, can you please find out how much? I say we take up a collection. I'll throw the first $25 in the pot. Anyone else? |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 1208
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 9:57 am: | |
The space where the shelter was built was not open; it was an overgrown patch of roadway and the site of a house that collapsed years ago and sat for decades. Much like the Old Stone house, only without any historical significance. That area was used for nothing except by teenagers to drink, get high and have sex- all pleasant diversions to be sure, but hardly conducive for an area contiguous to a playground.
The area abutting Public Works, including the pumphouse, water turbine and former shelter should definitely be razed and preserved due to the hazards they pose to curious kids and the frequent flooding. This latter problem is what necessitated the new shlter being erected on higher ground.
For anyone who still feels that the land around the shelter should be preserved, there is ample area left that could be cultivated and maintained. |
Marty Tuohy
Supporter
Username: Martyt
Post Number: 77
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 9:47 am: | |
I'm good for $25 for a new sign. |
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