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Board to advertise new parks plan but withdraws Fresh Meadows meadow proposal after neighborhood opposition
Summary
West Ocean Township authorized a 45-day public review of a new park, recreation and open space plan prepared by Toole Recreation Planning, but withdrew a proposed one-acre meadow at Fresh Meadows Park after multiple residents voiced safety and maintenance concerns. Consultants highlighted community input and prioritized canopy expansion, trails and Greystone stewardship.
The West Ocean Township Board of Supervisors voted to authorize advertisement of a new Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan and then — after sustained public comment — withdrew a separate proposal to convert part of Fresh Meadows Park from lawn to meadow.
Board action and plan details: staff introduced the plan prepared by Toole Recreation Planning and a local steering committee and asked the board to authorize a 45-day public review and county review. Consultant Anne Toole said the plan was “absolutely shaped by the residents,” citing nearly 1,000 survey responses, and outlined three themes: conserve, enhance and connect. Recommendations include expanding the township’s tree canopy, developing “nectar nodes” (low-mow native habitat areas), improved playgrounds, expanded trails and a stewardship plan for Greystone, a roughly 163-acre addition the plan frames as transformational.
Fresh Meadows controversy: separately, the sustainability advisory committee had proposed a grant-funded meadow conversion at Fresh Meadows Park. Staff said a Chester County Conservation District/PA DCNR grant covered most costs but required a minimum meadow size tied to the funding. Neighbors — including Mary Miller — told the board many residents did not receive the mailed survey and urged the township not to proceed with a meadow in a park located in the middle of a neighborhood. They cited safety worries (reduced sight lines), pests (ticks and rodents), increased deer activity, potential poison ivy/hemlock, seed drift and fire risk in drought conditions. “It’s a wonderful resource,” resident Mary Miller said of the field, adding she was “devastated to think about it not being that.”
Board response and withdrawal: after multiple residents spoke and board members reviewed survey results and grant conditions, two board members withdrew their support for the Fresh Meadows conversion. One board member said, “I’m certainly withdrawing my support based on the feedback from all of you.” The board moved and voted to withdraw the planned Fresh Meadows meadow-conversion project; staff said the township could later revisit smaller, lower-impact measures such as perimeter trees, benches and a focused survey asking residents which amenities they want.
Why it matters: the park plan lays out a long-term, phased implementation strategy and a changed parkland dedication standard, and the Fresh Meadows outcome shows the board responding to neighborhood concerns about safety, maintenance capacity and grant-driven deadlines. The board authorized posting the full park plan for public review while removing the Fresh Meadows landowner agreement associated with the meadow grant.
Next steps: the park plan will be posted online and undergo statutory review; staff and consultants suggested reviewing the plan before budget season to align priorities with available funding. The Fresh Meadows meadow landowner agreement will not move forward; the board said it will consider smaller improvements in the park later.
