Council members and residents on Thursday debated a proposed overhaul at Edison Woods Park that would add a pickleball court, a tennis court, a relocated basketball court and a walking path while keeping a recently approved dog park.

The discussion drew multiple residents, including Tom Serico of 32 Karen Place, who said he and neighbors were not consulted and warned the small park could be overwhelmed: “Nobody ever came to the residence and got our input on this… The overflow of traffic would be horrendous,” Serico said.

Why it matters: Council members said the project aims to increase park use but acknowledged that the current plan may create parking, noise and flooding impacts for adjacent houses if not adjusted.

Council Vice President, who reviewed the proposal on site, said, “In regards to lights, I personally have not seen anything that indicates new lights are being placed.” He described a likely layout that would place a small pickleball court and a tennis court near where a second bathhouse is sited and said the existing basketball court would be removed and replaced in another area.

Councilman Coyle said he supports giving the dog park time to gain use but asked that the township consult the whole neighborhood before making additional changes. “Before any changes would be done, I’d hope we’d speak to the entire community and do some type of survey,” Coyle said.

Council members and residents raised technical concerns: the vice president noted the current design proposes grading “to assist drainage” but said specifics on runoff and how grading will address ponding at the site were not yet available; Serico said portions of the park sit on low ground prone to flooding and called the site “swampland.” Council members asked the engineering department for clearer drainage plans and potential grading details.

Council members also raised visibility and access issues: several councilors said the park’s existing signage is hard to find and suggested a more visible entry sign or archway; others recommended repairing and replacing worn fencing. One councilor said reorienting courts (so play faces away from nearby backyards) could reduce noise impacts; another suggested minor landscaping or art-painted boxes as an aesthetic mitigation if infrastructure elements cannot be relocated.

What the council directed: Members requested that administration and engineering review whether the approved December resolution authorizing courts could accommodate a revised layout, and to provide more detailed drainage information. The administration said it would examine possible layout modifications, review purchasing constraints and follow up with residents and council members.

No formal vote or change to the approved resolution was made at the meeting; councilors described the matter as ongoing and directed staff to return with clarifying engineering and layout documents.

Closing note: Council members said they would continue outreach to neighbors and consider modifications intended to balance increased park use with neighborhood impacts.