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Springfield Township Hears Split Views on Oakland Avenue Park; Decision Delayed to Feb. 10
Summary
At a public hearing, residents and officials debated whether to close Oakland Avenue for a new park, keep it open, or use a hybrid (removable bollards) approach; the township has a $416,000 county grant for the project and will aim to decide by the Feb. 10 meeting.
Springfield Township committee members heard more than an hour of public comment on the proposed Oakland Avenue Park and did not vote, saying they expect to decide by the committee’s Feb. 10 meeting.
Committeeman Weber, who led the project presentation, said the township acquired the lot from Outfront during negotiations and is proposing a small sitting park for the commercial strip. Weber told the meeting the committee is weighing three options: leave Oakland Avenue open, close it to create a cul-de-sac, or use removable bollards to close the street for events. "The county supplied us with a $416,000 grant for this park. So, we are going to spend every dollar of it because the money cannot be used anywhere else," Weber said.
Weber said a traffic study found more traffic on Waverly than on Oakland and that removing several on-site trees is necessary; he said the plan calls for replanting. He described the hybrid option as allowing the roadway to be open by default and closed at specific times, such as for weekend events.
Public commenters were split. Emo Tagi, a resident of 41 Oakland Ave., told the committee: "As a senior citizen, I feel safer turning left at a traffic light. What benefit is there in blocking the intersection to create a park, forcing us to take detours and jeopardizing our safety?" Other speakers raised traffic, emergency access and parking concerns. Resident Chris Shramp told the committee the traffic survey had not been provided to the public and asked that officials document how closing the road would shift traffic: "Your traffic survey has not been documented. We haven't seen that." Several residents supported a park but opposed a permanent street closure; others favored closing Oakland to increase pedestrian space and boost storefront activity.
Committee members said they want more input from the two absent members and from first responders before making a final choice. Deputy Mayor Kaiser and others emphasized safety concerns, while some members and residents expressed openness to a hybrid approach. The hearing was closed without a vote.
Next steps: the committee requested additional discussion and outreach; members said they aim to make a final decision at or before the Feb. 10 meeting so contractors can be scheduled. No formal action was taken at this session.
