Charles Tomaro is a Middlesex County commissioner. –
Located within the heart of our state, and with more than 860,000 calling our community home, Middlesex County has set itself apart as the most diverse county in New Jersey. Middlesex includes numerous Fortune 500 companies, three of our nation’s top universities and world-class health care and research facilities where innovation and productivity thrive. We are the birthplace of college football, the incandescent light bulb and even duct tape.
Throughout history, Middlesex County has been a leader in innovation. That rich history motivates us to keep moving forward, to work together with our partners and take on bold new challenges that not only build upon past successes, but allow us to plan for the future.
From 2018-20, we engaged with thousands of Middlesex County residents to listen and learn about their vision for their families. We received valuable feedback on a wide variety of topics. A universal theme from across all age groups was the desire for more recreational and athletic space for families, outdoor enthusiasts and travel leagues. We heard how there was a need for additional space for various sports, pick-up play and outdoor recreational space for our residents to spend time together and thrive as a family.
Those conversations have inspired our investments in outdoor recreational facilities for families, and our prioritization of educational opportunities, community engagement and the arts right here in Middlesex County. We are proud to see that blueprint come to life with our Community, Innovation, and Opportunity Strategic Investment Plan.
As part of this strategic plan, and with our residents’ desires for our community in mind, Middlesex County is embarking on a bold vision to expand Thomas A. Edison Park and create a destination athletic complex that will serve as the crown jewel of our beloved parks system.
This expansion will allow residents, families and visitors to enjoy access to more space for sports like baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse and rugby. This park will include 14 multisport fields, 16 tennis courts, an upgraded playground and a state-of-the-art, first-in-class recreational cricket field. These improvements may result in big savings of time and money for many families, who will no longer have to travel out-of-state for tournaments or practices.
While our priority is enhancing the recreational and athletic experience at the park, we also recognize the importance of preserving natural woodlands and the species of animals that inhabit our area. Of the 180-acre property that Thomas A. Edison Park sits on, of which 77 acres are currently developed with fields, paths and maintained as an active park, only 11 additional acres will be used for this project.
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate new pedestrian and bicycle paths that will serpentine around wetlands areas, bird watching trails, Middlesex College and Raritan Center, featuring public art exhibits from Middlesex County artists. Put simply, the destination athletic complex will have something for everyone, right in the heart of New Jersey.
The new complex will also benefit our local economy, as our best-in-class facilities will attract new visitors, recreational leagues and local, state and national sports tournaments. Our hospitality and tourism industry and small business economy will enjoy strong economic growth as more people travel to our hotels, dine in our restaurants, shop in our stores and enjoy our downtowns.
We are also using this opportunity to upgrade the park’s aging water infrastructure. The destination athletic complex will include a modern water management system that will not only mitigate flooding in the park, but minimize impacts to the surrounding areas — ultimately benefiting local residents and businesses.
Finally, planned partnerships to develop a new entrance, as well as the installation of an advanced traffic management system along Woodbridge Avenue and Mill Road, will ensure safe and efficient access to the park.
We listened to our residents and their voices were clear — we need more passive and active recreation areas and sports facilities in our community. Public recreation, open space and athletic opportunities are vital for the health and well-being of Middlesex County and our residents. Our investments in Thomas A. Edison Park destination athletic complex will further cement Middlesex County as the best place to live, work, play and raise a family for generations to come.
Charles Tomaro is a Middlesex County commissioner and chair of the infrastructure management committee.
