Speedwell Lake to spearhead Morristown tourism push?

When the Morristown council quietly approved boating on Speedwell Lake last year, council members gave no hint of bigger things to come.

But sources now tell MorristownGreen.com that those plans may be expanded to include an aquatic recreation center, with water skiing and a small public beach at the lake.

It would be part of a broader tourism push designed to bring more family themed activities to Morristown, which seeks to counter its “Hoboken West” image as a drinking capital.

“We’d prefer ‘Coney Island West,'” said one official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

More details are expected when the Mayor unveils his 2016 budget proposal. However, sources close to town hall said officials are exploring a range of new offerings including:

• Bumper cars and a roller hockey rink for Pioneer Park at Headquarters Plaza
• Revolutionary War-themed miniature golf on the historic Morristown Green
• Bass fishing tournaments at Foote’s Pond
• Converting the annual Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival to the Morristown International Ukulele Festival.

The ideas are said to have flowed from last year’s discussions about Speedwell Lake.

“We felt the lake needed some help, to boost public interest,” the official said. “Lake Pocahontas already has Pokie, the legendary monster, to draw tourists.”

Still, implementing these plans — separately or in tandem– is likely to be a long, painstaking process.

Water skiing and swimming at Speedwell Lake almost certainly will require intervention by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lake is only three inches deep in some spots.

Foote’s Pond poses similar challenges.

And the Trustees of the Green, whose mission is preserving the two-acre square where George Washington once trod, have been cool to past suggestions, such as artificial turf,  a band shell, a replica of an historic gallows, and a holding pen for weekend drunks.

Although Trustees have been receptive to the summer jazz and blues festival on the Green, it remains to be seen whether they would embrace the kind of crowds that would come if promoters tap the global ukulele craze.

Privately, members of the business community say they are hopeful.

“We think this could bring dozens of people to our downtown,” said one merchant.