Park proposal sparks debate in Fair Lawn

Residents of the borough of Fair Lawn are outraged by a proposal to build a new park there. The project, which includes the expansion of Williams Street, has sparked a fierce debate between the borough

News 12 Staff

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Jun 30, 2008, 12:23 AM

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Updated 5,959 days ago

Residents of the borough of Fair Lawn are outraged by a proposal to build a new park there.

The project, which includes the expansion of Williams Street, has sparked a fierce debate between the borough and Bergen County.

"It's a beautiful block, dead-end street to the park,? says Beth Senzer, describing Williams Street.

Senzer has been living on Williams Street for the past 16 years. She says the dead-end street was part of the reason she chose to buy her home and raise her family here.

The county, however, is moving forward with plans to build a road into Saddle River County Park.

"The road would extend from Williams Street, creating a gravel path for cars to drive on and an additional parking area, making these soccer fields more accessible,? says Borough Manager Thomas Metzler.

The county executive's office says it held several public meetings and determined Williams Street to be the best option. The bulldozer arrived Wednesday, with construction expected to begin immediately.

The borough is now calling on the county to put the project on hold until its council meeting in late July. It has asked for Bergen County?s response by 4 p.m. Monday.

Meantime, barricades the council had put in to delay construction remain in place.