Community Workshop Huge Success!

Many thanks to everyone who attended the Summit Park Line workshop this past Thursday at the Summit First Aid Squad Building in Summit. What an incredible turnout for the community! There was standing-room-only and a very engaged, supportive audience. Those in attendance included:

  • Mayor Radest
  • Council President David Naidu
  • Celgene representatives
  • Park Line board members & representatives
  • Summit EMS
  • Overlook Hospital
  • A Rahway Valley railroad historic preservationist
  • Union County Freeholder Bruce Bergen
  • Six Common Council members
  • Nationally recognized rails-to-trails architect, Bob Thomas

Many spoke or offered presentations. Bob shared over 40 years of experience building trails in communities across the United States. He will work side-by-side throughout this entire process offering a wealth of information on treatments to the path, bridges and individual properties.

Noteworthy facts:

  • The last park built in Summit was Memorial Field (85 years ago)
  • Hundreds of Summit residents have signed a letter of support of the project, including many from East Summit
  • There is an anticipated rise in property values of homes along rail trails
  • The project is 100% funded by donations and volunteers
  • Maintenance is the City’s responsibility, as with all other parks
  • The City has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Summit Park Line Foundation
  • This is the only project specifically named as an “objective” in the 2016 City Master Plan

Want to see an overhead view? View the Summit Park Line drone video

Please continue to get involved with this exciting project and show your support.