Hamilton Park needs renovation
Hamilton Park needs renovation
Sunday January 14, 2007
The Jersey City Reporter
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Hamilton Park had its last significant overhaul during the early 1970's through the State Green Acres Program that stipulated the creation of active space. Jersey City at that time needed state assistance due to the poor financial condition. Hamilton Park at that time was not an historic neighborhood.
Times have changed, and now Hamilton Park's surrounding neighborhoods are in much better condition - arguably along with our City's finances. Also, Hamilton Park has been an historic neighborhood now for over 25 years. During the past few years, Hamilton Park neighborhood historic homeowners have had the bar raised yet again with regard to the level of complying with historic building codes. I think this higher, enforced standard is both entirely appropriate and needed.
However, I think this also needs to be applied to the plans to renovate Hamilton Park, too. I encourage all to visit the Jersey Room of the beautiful Downtown branch of the Jersey City Free Public Library to see pictures of just how green a space and passive in nature Hamilton Park historically was.
During the three years I operated the Hamilton Park Farmers' Market I had the opportunity to meet many of Hamilton Park's truly "old guard" residents (pre 1960) who fondly shared with me their recollections of how beautiful a space Hamilton Park was as a passive recreation area. Today, I feel the children's play area and dog run are now needed. However, it should end there.
Keeping the to-be renovated Hamilton Park as passive and green as possible is both consistent with and fair to the same standards the surrounding homeowners are now held to and form an historical perspective has integrity.
Alan Singer
Sunday January 14, 2007
The Jersey City Reporter
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Hamilton Park had its last significant overhaul during the early 1970's through the State Green Acres Program that stipulated the creation of active space. Jersey City at that time needed state assistance due to the poor financial condition. Hamilton Park at that time was not an historic neighborhood.
Times have changed, and now Hamilton Park's surrounding neighborhoods are in much better condition - arguably along with our City's finances. Also, Hamilton Park has been an historic neighborhood now for over 25 years. During the past few years, Hamilton Park neighborhood historic homeowners have had the bar raised yet again with regard to the level of complying with historic building codes. I think this higher, enforced standard is both entirely appropriate and needed.
However, I think this also needs to be applied to the plans to renovate Hamilton Park, too. I encourage all to visit the Jersey Room of the beautiful Downtown branch of the Jersey City Free Public Library to see pictures of just how green a space and passive in nature Hamilton Park historically was.
During the three years I operated the Hamilton Park Farmers' Market I had the opportunity to meet many of Hamilton Park's truly "old guard" residents (pre 1960) who fondly shared with me their recollections of how beautiful a space Hamilton Park was as a passive recreation area. Today, I feel the children's play area and dog run are now needed. However, it should end there.
Keeping the to-be renovated Hamilton Park as passive and green as possible is both consistent with and fair to the same standards the surrounding homeowners are now held to and form an historical perspective has integrity.
Alan Singer
<< Home