Message from Deputy Mayor Matt Adams | May 30, 2025

Scotch Plains is undergoing an unprecedented program to greatly enhance our public parks. As you travel around town this spring, please take note of the many construction projects underway, as we renew and reinvigorate our recreational offerings.

I am pleased of the progress underway, as the Mayor and Township Council are in the midst of a multi-year infrastructure effort to give our public spaces the attention they deserve, while responding directly to the desires of the community we proudly represent.

Here is the latest snapshot of the work now underway:

• New Athletic Fields at Union County Vo-Tech, 1776 Raritan Rd.

On Tuesday, I was proud and honored to attend the groundbreaking of the new athletic fields project, featuring a soccer field and baseball field, at the Union County Vo-Tech campus.

The county-funded project will bring much-needed, new, modern, all-weather capacity to the system of youth sports complexes in Scotch Plains. Years in the making, I would like to extend special appreciation to the Union County Board of Commissioners for answering the needs of our community, spearheading the design, funding and future maintenance of this tremendous project. 

I cannot wait to see the smiles on all the faces of the children that will have the privilege of using this greatly improved space.

• Improvements to the Kramer Manor Park Courts, 1950 Evelyn St.

The old tennis courts in Kramer Manor Park fell into disrepair a number of years ago, and we have been very eager to replace them.  The work is now underway, with new fencing being installed around the courts this week. Workers will then add the court color coating, which should take two to three weeks to finish, weather permitting. We are pleased to be able to re-open these courts for the beginning of summer and know they will get plenty of use.

The project includes two resurfaced basketball courts and six resurfaced tennis courts.  The seventh tennis court at Kramer Manor Park is being turned into four permanent pickleball courts.  The park is where we typically host our summer youth basketball league under the lights, so we are excited to be able to bring the program back to Kramer after a hiatus because of the poor tennis court conditions.

• Brookside Park Court Upgrades, 1255 Hetfield Ave.

Many residents have asked me when the Brookside Park court improvements will be done. Similar to Kramer Manor Park, workers are installing the new fencing around the courts now and the project should be completed by next week.  The same court coating contractor is being used here and will begin work after the Kramer Manor Park project is completed.

We are also doing some plantings for the two rain gardens this week, if the weather holds up.

The total project calls for Brookside Park to get one full length basketball court and four permanent pickleball courts.   This park is where we host our summer day camp so we are hopeful the project will be completed prior to the start of camp so campers can enjoy these new facilities during their daily station rotations.

I stopped by the park Wednesday morning to check out the progress. My photos are below.

• Green Forest Park Playground, 554 Westfield Ave.

Workers have poured the concrete perimeter for the curbing/formwork to define the layout of the incoming playground. We are excited to begin the construction of the new facility that will generate enjoyment for generations of Scotch Plains families.

You may recall that Green Forest Park already underwent reconstruction for new courts.  We already installed one tennis court, two pickleball courts, and a multi-use rink.  Currently, we're focused on the playground. This park is where we host our Small Fry Camp every summer; we are excited for campers to have the opportunity to be the first to play on this new playground!

You can learn the very latest more about our exciting park improvement projects by clicking here.