Thomas A. Edison Park�Environmental Assessment�How to Comment

The National Park Service wants your comments!

DEADLINE SEPTMBER 3, 2024

Postmarked September 3

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On-Line Comments ends on September 3

https://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=138626

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Use QR Code to review the EA, and to Comment��https://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=138626��

Send your comments to:�We created a draft letter you can send.�Fill out tonight, and we will send a bunch in the mail.

What is going on?�

• Middlesex County wants to destroy the existing park, cut down an additional 11 acres of trees, and build a “Destination Athletic Complex” of 14 plastic fields and a grass Cricket field. Plus 1300 parking spaces.

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• The National Park Service has a deed restriction on the property, and it requires NPS approval for a change in the “Program of Utilization”.
• NPS is requiring a Environmental Assessment, which includes public comment.

Environmental Assessment

• Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
• Assess a reasonable range of alternatives to meet the underlying purpose of the proposed action.
• Evaluate potential issues and impacts to the natural and cultural resources of the park
• Identify required mitigation measures designed to lessen the degree or extent of any potential adverse environmental impacts.

Cover of Edison Park �Environmental Assessment

The EA has various maps.�This one shows the acreages of the park.�72.34 acres of active recreation.�Including facilities, lawns, Parking lots.�

Existing Park��4 full sized soccer�2 youth soccer�Running track�16 tennis court�3 Baseball/softball�Fitness trail�Trees and grass�Parking lots. 300 cars�

Proposed site plan.�Demolish existing Park.�Cut down 11 acres of trees.�Build:�1350 parking spaces.�14 plastic fields�1 Cricket Ground

Wetlands Map��Tidal Wetlands on the south side of park

Only 2 alternatives.��A. No Action��B. Action�build sports complex.

2 others considered

Land Exchange

Abrogation of deed restrictions if this is not approved.

Impacts to:�Terrestrial�Vegetation

Cutting down 11 acres of woodlands without an Edison Tree Permit.

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• Project is exempt from local regulations.
• Trees within the Township of Edison are regulated by Chapter 25 – Trees; Code 12.16.010, Ord. No. O.1659-2008; of the Municipal Code. According to the Edison Municipal Code, a tree is defined as any deciduous or coniferous species which reaches a typical mature height of ten feet or more. Regulated trees are those that fit the previously stated definition and have a diameter at breast height (DBH) of four inches or greater. Tree removal within the township requires a permit, and if 25 percent or more of the on-site trees are removed, a replacement plan is required, however as the park is County property, Middlesex County is not jurisdictionally required to submit to the Township of Edison for a Tree Removal Permit

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Alternates not considered

Alternate 1�US EPA�160+ acres next to the park

Alternate 1�US EPA��Was�Considered for Stadium site.

Alternate 2�Edison�Landfill.�Mill Rd.�Twp looking at closure methods and sport fields.

Alternate 3.�Crabiel Park��2022 OSRP says �acquire vacant land to the north.�

Alternate 4.�Thompson Park�Perrineville Rd.�Monroe

Alternate 4.�Thompson Park�Already used for soccer tournaments

Alternate 5.�Johnson Park�Add fields by the horse track.

Alternate 6.�Build on existing developed portion of Edison Park.�Eliminate 6 fields�Eliminate 500 spaces.�Looks like they may have designed this first.

The EA Does Not Say What This Is!

• A Destination Sports Complex
• Alternative B not only prioritizes the current and future recreational development of Middlesex County and the regional community but also envisions Thomas A. Edison Park as a central hub for community engagement and local and regional athletic events open to the public.
• This development, in concert with the capacity to host regional tournaments, enables local athletes from Middlesex County and the surrounding area, already involved in or interested in local and regional travel organizations, to train and compete within or near their community.

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Operated by a Third Party.

• With the expansion of the park facility, the county will maintain control of the facilities while exploring external assistance for day-to-day management. This would involve subcontracting services to a third party for field and facility maintenance, food service, booking systems, and other commonly subcontracted services for park facility management on behalf of the County.

The Youth Sports Industry

• A $19 billion and growing industry. More is spent on youth sports than professional football.
• Travel Teams
• Pay to Play
• Possible college scholarships
• Why not use the money for scholarships and not build the complex.

What is a Destination Athletic Complex

Destination K. P. Long Island. 14 Fields

DETurf Delaware���The mission of the DE TURF Sports Complex is to serve as an economic engine for central Delaware by providing a first-class sports destination venue that attracts sports tourism to the area, as well as services our local community needs for youth to play, learn, compete and grow.��12 Lighted Turf Fields�700 seat Championship Field�Restaurant Quality Concessions�Free Public WiFi�On-Site Parking�Birthday Party Rentals�Host a Private Event�Rent Fields by the hour�Coordinate your own Sports League or Practice Sessions�For more information contact DE TURF at 302-330-TURF (8873) or info@deturf.com�

Adventure Sports Jackson NJ��$525 fee for 3 days play

Artificial Turf contains…

• Under this Alternative, artificial turf fields would replace the existing natural grass fields and other natural resources. Surface water quality impacts resulting from the artificial turf fields are expected to be similar to those resulting from the installation of other impervious surfaces, such as parking areas. However, the fields also are designed to manage stormwater which includes infiltrating runoff below the fields. While it is possible that materials used in artificial turf fields could release contaminants into surface water, research has shown that the contaminants in stormwater runoff from turf fields such as these specifically, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and aluminum (Al); did not surpass established maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) (Cheng et al., 2014). The 2019 EPA study on rubber infill material found that a range of metals, organic chemicals, and bacteria is found in in rubber infill material and that these chemicals were generally comparable to other completed studies.(U.S. EPA & CDC/ATSDR, 2019) Identified components of artificial turf, include lead and other heavy metals, microplastics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polyfluoroalkyls, endocrine disrupting chemicals, nitrogen, phosphorus, ammonium nitrate, UV inhibitors. Some loss of ecosystem services such as CO2 storage, and habitat, would result from the use of artificial turf. Proper installation, inspection, and maintenance of the fields can help prevent the risk of chemical migration to surface water.

Grass contains…

• Natural grass

EA Does not consider:��New Road�From Mill Rd.�To Raritan �Center

Can’t Be Recycled

Existing Park. Mill Rd.

Park Closed ��December ��2022.��For geotechnical testing.���It has not reopened.�

History of Thomas A. Edison Park

• From 1917 to 1964 part of the Raritan Arsenal
• Ammunition Magazine buildings, and sewer plant located on the property.
• Explosions in 1924 and 1925 contaminated ground with explosives, and chemicals.
• 1964. US Army transfers the Arsenal to the GSA for sale.
• 1964. GSA sells 161 Acres to Middlesex County for parkland as described in the “Program of utilization”
• County used Green Acres money to buy the land.
• National Park Service Deed restriction.
• The County considered building a golf course on the site, connected to the County owned and operated Raritan Arsenal Golf Course at Mill Rd. and Woodbridge Ave.

National Park Service Jurisdiction ?�October 1964 Deed Restriction

1964 Green Acres Grant & Deed Restriction

1964 Application Program of Utilization

April 1964 report on the Application by Middlesex County for Park and Recreation Use by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation.

It is proposed to develop and maintain the property as a public park and recreation area under the jurisdiction of the Middlesex County Department of Public Parks. Facilities developed on the tract would include sites set aside for picnicking, athletic fields to support such activities as basketball, football, soccer, baseball, softball, and tennis, and opportunities for aesthetic enjoyment. Wherever possible natural values will be preserved and maintained to enhance the recreation use of the site.

The Department of Parks, Middlesex County proposes to develop the property into a park and recreation facility closely oriented toward supplying the employees connected with the industrial development of the region, as well as the resident population, with an established recreation facility within a reasonable distance.

Other portions of the 161-acre tract would contain opportunities for picnicking, various children activities or for general aesthetic enjoyment of the surrounding area.

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1966�County Golf Course�County College �County Park��(1966 Edison �Master Plan)

Park developed in the 1970s.

• 1974 County College got permission to build the track and field, soccer field, and tennis courts on the west side of the park.
• NE side built over the years by the County, including new soccer fields in the 2000s.

2022�County Open Space Plan��Adopted February 2022.��Greenway connections�waterbody enhancement��No athletic complex.

On Nov. 2, 2022 Middlesex County Announce the Finalization of the “CIO” PLAN to turn Middlesex College & Thomas Edison Park to a “Destination”.

• Thomas Edison Park-Destination Athletic Complex. 14 plastic fields, 1300 space parking lot, 1 grass cricket field, field house, and concession stands.
• Middlesex College-5,000 seat stadium, sports bar with a 10,000 meals a day kitchen.

CIO Plan�Finalized in 2022 with no public input.��A PR plan not a planning plan.

Destination Athletic Complex��11/2022

Rendering of the Edison Park Destination Athletic Complex.��11/2022��

Cost

• 60-67 Million Dollars for the fields.
• 62 Million Dollar bid rejected Dec. 2023
• Unknown amount for the “Field House” $10 Million???

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• Plus: Engineering, permits architectural fees all incurred before, they got NPS approval. $393, 203 in architectural fees for field house.
• $10 Million for a new Road to Raritan Center.

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• Close to $100 million total

NJDCA Grant��$8.5 Million.��“In addition a destination complex can contribute to generating revenue for the County.”

Other sources of funding

• Unknown.

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• We have been told COVID relief monies or American Rescue Plan money.
• We asked the County for all grant applications for the CIO plan and only got the DCA & DOT ones.

Department of Community Affairs �$8.5 Million Grant Application �$66 Million total project

The building of the Destination Athletic Complex will convert this site from a Park to: ��An Industrial site.��The industry is…..

Artificial Turf Fields��Fossil Fuels & Toxic Chemicals.��Can’t be recycled.