Edison Woods Park is tucked away in a quiet residential pocket of Edison Township, New Jersey. It’s so quiet that many locals don’t even know it’s there, and residents who live around the park say that’s exactly why they love it.
“It’s our little slice of heaven,” one neighbor told NBC 4.
Now, residents are worried that could soon change. The township plans to revitalize the park by adding a new pickleball court, a relocated basketball court, building a tennis court and installing new walkways — and residents are pushing back hard.
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Neighbors concerned about park upgrades
The township is looking to update 32 parks across Edison, including this small neighborhood green space. Edison Woods Park recently got a new jungle gym, which neighbors told News 4 they were happy about. But more ambitious upgrades are planned, and residents are concerned say it could disrupt their quiet way of life.
The park has no internal parking lot, so visitors must park on nearby residential streets and walk in. That’s part of what worries residents most.
“I’m most concerned about the privacy, the flooding and the parking,” Bonnie Lefrak said to NBC News 4 New York, who lives next to the park.
Neighbors also say the area isn’t built to handle an influx of people, pointing to increased traffic, safety risks and noise as additional concerns.
“This is a residential area,” said neighbor Fred Dellapitro. “They have parks that are three times the size of this. Why don’t they enhance those instead?”
Residents aren’t opposed to improvements, but say they want more transparency and input. Several neighbors told NBC 4 they didn’t even know about the project until recently and feel blindsided by the proposed changes.
“They’re just looking into trying to revitalize the area,” one resident said. “But to us, you’re going to be bringing in additional people that you know may not have known of our little slice of heaven.”
Neighbors say the township should have asked for their input earlier, and they want a say in what happens next.
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How to make your voice heard against local townships
News 4 reports that no plans have been finalized yet by Eddison officials. The proposed court installations are part of a larger effort to revamp recreational spaces across the township, and feedback is still being gathered.
If you’re facing a similar situation in your neighborhood, here are a few ways to get involved before changes are made:
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Show up and speak out: Attend planning board or township council meetings. These meetings are often open to the public and include comment periods, during which residents can voice concerns or ask for changes.
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Start a petition or neighborhood group: A single complaint is easy to ignore, but dozens of signatures or a formal group can get attention. Consider gathering support and presenting a unified message.
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Request project details: Use tools like public records requests to see project proposals, traffic studies, or budget allocations. The more informed you are, the better your argument will be.
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Talk to local leaders: Contact your ward councilperson or township administrator. Elected officials are more likely to listen when their constituents reach out directly and respectfully.
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Use local media and social platforms: Sharing your story with local news outlets, neighborhood Facebook groups, or community forums can help bring public pressure and rally more support.
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Propose alternatives: If you’re not against improvements but want something smaller or quieter, suggest changes that preserve the park’s low-traffic character, like nature trails, benches, or limited-use courts.
Ultimately, decisions like these aren’t always set in stone, especially when communities stay organized, respectful and persistent. Whether you’re trying to protect green space or just want a say in how your neighborhood grows, speaking up can shape how your neighborhood grows.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
