Crime & Safety

Parking Restrictions Suggested Near Adams Avenue Field

Cranford Police provided the committee with suggestions on where to restrict parking near the field complex.

The Cranford Police Department has suggested that parking be restricted on one side of both Wade Avenue and Lambert Street near Adams Avenue field.

Public Safety Commissioner, Kevin Campbell, presented to the committee on Monday evening that Lt. Davenport of Cranford PD provided recommendations on parking near Adams Avenue field.

Lt. Davenport suggested restricting parking on the Southerly side of Wade Avenue from Richard St. to Lambert St., as well as install “no parking between” signs on the easterly side of Lambert St. at the intersection of Wade Avenue. He also suggested to direct patrons of Adams Avenue Complex to use the Bloomingdale Avenue School parking lot.

His main concern was that only one car could get through because of the parking situation.

“He called for these changes in order to make sure that there could be better situation with through traffic,” Campbell said.

Campbell said he would speak to Lt. Davenport to see what needs to be done in terms of an ordinance by the committee.

He added, ”This is public safety and it comes before everything else”

Resident Rita Labrutto questioned if this was fair to the residents who live there and Commissioners Kalnins and Adubato said Lt. Davenport said it only impacts on resident.

Kalnins said that the addition of sidewalks has also impacted the narrowing of the road.

“The street is not wide enough to have people park on both sides,” Kalnins explained.

Campbell added that over the years there has been increased traffic there and the police department believes it is not a safe practice to leave it the way it is.

The use of the Adams Avenue complex by the CBSL was questioned by resident and former mayor, Mark Smith, in a letter to the committee and again at workshop meetings. Smith had suggested that the township reexamine the CBSL’s lease that says the organization will pay $1 per year for the use of the fields.

Smith had said in his letter to the committee that the use of Adams Avenue field is disturbing the neighborhood, creating parking problems, noise issues and more.

At a council meeting on Oct. 8, several representatives from non-profit organizations in the township came out in support of the use of the Adams Avenue complex by the Cranford Baseball and Softball League.

CBSL board member, Keith Hoffman, said at that meeting that a few residents have complained about parking and that is something the CBSL is already working on with the Cranford Police Department's traffic bureau.

The CBSL and township had asked Chief Eric Mason to take a look at the issues and suggest what the CBSL can do to help the situation. The suggestions by the traffic department on new parking guidelines are the first step in the process.


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