A walk in the parklet: Morristown’s newest green (parking) space

Phil Abramson is raring to go on Morristown's master plan revision. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Phil Abramson is raring to go on Morristown's master plan revision. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
1

Burnham Park has nothing to fear.

Morristown’s newest green space won’t be siphoning off too many nature lovers. After all, it’s hard to pack much nature into two parking spaces.

Still, the temporary “parklet” on North Park Place isn’t a bad spot to take a breather–if you don’t inhale too deeply during rush hour. The folks from Morris Arts, Sustainable Morristown and Marty’s Reliable Cycle have done a nice job of making things cozy, with potted trees, rugs, a bicycle-powered cell phone charging station and even a shoebox-sized art gallery, courtesy of muralist Dan Fenelon.

Phil Abramson is raring to go on Morristown's master plan revision. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Phil Abramson is raring to go on Morristown’s master plan revision. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

It’s meant to promote Morristown Moving Forward, a weeklong series of public discussions about upgrading the town’s zoning master plan.

Smoother integration of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists is a key goal of the planners.

The kickoff is at the Hyatt Morristown at 5:30 pm on April 22, 2013.  Then the action returns for two days to the “Design Studio” at 18 North Park Place, where urban planners will field questions, solicit suggestions, and hash out the basics of the new master plan. Everything wraps up back at the Hyatt at 5:30 pm on April 25.

It’s a novel way of tackling a master plan revision, said Phil Abramson of Jonathan Rose Companies, the town planners.

“We decided to get everyone in the same room for four days and focus on Morristown, rather than draw it out for months and months. Let’s be concentrated and focused, and maximize the creativity and focus of everyone,” said Phil.

Please click icon below for captions.

 

Jonathan Rose Companies has enlisted some top urban designers for the exercise: Third Coast Design Studio, VHB, FHI and Group Melvin Design, Phil said. The work is funded by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, he said.

The Design Studio is the former home of Burgdorff Realty. Landlord Dave Brown has loaned the space to Morristown Moving Forward for the week, and Gensler, the architectural firm, has created some eye-catching sculptures as window-dressing, Phil said.

“By being at the center of community life [the Morristown Green], the storefront gives passersby the chance to be part of the process,” Phil said. “The venue is on neutral ground.”

1 COMMENT

  1. Be good if the people manning the tables had up to date info on business conditions in Morristown, i.e., retail vacany rates, residential apartment vacancy rates, office vacancy rates, etc.

LEAVE A REPLY