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Residents voice traffic and flooding concerns over Oakland Avenue pocket‑park options
Summary
Town presenters outlined two designs for a pocket park at the former Oakland Avenue billboard site — one leaving the street open and one closing Oakland to create a cul‑de‑sac — and said a $416,000 county grant funds the project. Dozens of residents urged more study before any closure, citing traffic, parking and flood risks.
Town officials presented two design options for a pocket park on the former billboard property at Oakland Avenue and South Springfield, told residents the township secured a $416,000 county grant to build the park and stressed no decision would be made at the meeting.
The presenter said the land was acquired from Outfront for $1 and that two renderings were shown: one that preserves Oakland Avenue with benches and plantings, and a second that would close Oakland Avenue, create a cul‑de‑sac and add roughly 600 square feet of green space. “One of them will be built, but we would like your input on them,” the presenter said. Officials said engineers and planners found no additional runoff risk from the designs and that traffic studies are under way.
Many residents who spoke at the public‑comment portion urged the township not to close Oakland Avenue. “The traffic pattern will change dramatically,” said Steven Sachs of 37 Oakland Avenue, who said left turns onto Mountain Avenue would become difficult without the current through route. Mara Freriedman of 85 Lynden Avenue said she was “100% against any version of closing off Oakland Avenue,” citing safety and access for students and businesses.
Other residents raised engineering and regulatory constraints. “Van Winkle Creek starts backing in to that paper road in heavy storms,” said David the Barbarie of 50 Waverly Avenue, noting the low‑lying end of Waverly and FEMA flood concerns; he also cited zoning standards that require wider minor streets and larger cul‑de‑sac radii than shown on the renderings. Chris ShraMM, who has lived on Waverly since 1997, warned that five nearby commercial addresses depend on Oakland for easier access and predicted backups on Waverly if Oakland is closed.
Town staff responded that a week‑long traffic count is being collected on each affected roadway and that the study could take two to four months to complete. Staff said the data will be presented at a future open meeting and that the committee has received some written comments already.
Supporters of the park also spoke, including Allison Miller, chair of the Springfield Environmental Commission, who said the pocket park would add protected green space and be a welcome gathering spot for students and shoppers. Several speakers suggested amenities such as a gazebo, benches, lighting and Wi‑Fi.
Town officials said no vote would occur tonight and that the committee will hold another public meeting after engineers and traffic analysts complete their review. Residents were advised to monitor the township’s meetings and announcements for the traffic study findings and next steps.
