Residents press Lambertville to speed park remediation and ease library closure burdens

Residents at the council meeting raised concerns about the closure of Cavalo (variously spelled in the record) Park and the concurrent library renovation, saying both have disproportionately affected families on the city's south side and urging immediate, practical mitigation.

A resident who identified herself as Sarah (address given in public comment) told the council the park's closure has created a gap in recreational opportunities and urged the city to apply for a Hunter County parks grant (deadline noted in the meeting as Aug. 29) and to consider a temporary playground in the Lambertville Station parking lot to serve affected neighborhoods while remediation and construction proceed.

Council leaders and staff described steps already under way. The mayor said lead remediation at the library is expected to conclude shortly and that interior renovation work (painting, carpeting) and programming continues via pop-up library services in city facilities. The mayor also reported that BSTI had been onsite collecting soil samples at the park and that the city has bonded capital funds available for any necessary remediation work.

Council members noted potential interim options: expanded programming in city conference rooms, pop-up library hours, use of other public fields undergoing equipment upgrades, and a prospective community garden at Hulcom Park proposed for 2026 with county grant support. Staff said some temporary play-space options would require permissions from the state Canal Commission or private-property owners.

What's next: the city will continue to coordinate soil testing and await results from BSTI and the state agency named in the meeting; council members said they would track grant opportunities and explore temporary play-space options while the major renovations and any remediation proceed.