Big changes considered for Tamaques Park

Westfield officials are still collecting public feedback on a proposed redesign of Tamaques Park, the town’s 106-acre park on Lamberts Mill Road, as planners weigh changes that range from new walking trails to a possible multi-purpose building. Mayor Michael Armento Berman said on May 15 that the feedback period had been extended through June 15 because of the volume of responses and the level of community interest. The current proposal, he said, draws on earlier stakeholder meetings and a 2025 online survey. Town materials say the redesign process is still at the concept stage, with public comments intended to shape what comes next. ### Why is Westfield asking for more feedback now? May 15 was the date Berman told residents the survey would stay open three more weeks, extending the comment period to June 15. In a town message, he said the extension was meant to capture as much input as possible after an initial round of responses. The town’s design-plan page says Dresdner Robin, the consulting firm working on the project, issued a community engagement summary report in January 2026. Westfield says that report reflected input from a 2025 online public survey, stakeholder group meetings and a project steering committee that included Recreation Commission members, Lifelong Westfield, the Green Team, Board of Education representatives, park neighbors and town staff. ### What is actually being considered for the park? A May 5 Town Council presentation outlined preliminary ideas that could significantly change how parts of Tamaques Park are used. Patch reported that consultants discussed expanded walking trails, additional pickleball courts, a community garden, trail markers and a second entrance on Lamberts Mill Road aimed at easing traffic during busy events. The same presentation included a proposed 12,000-square-foot multi-purpose building near a new athletic field. (westfieldnj.gov) Consultant Mark Robeson said the building could host wrestling, cheerleading, fitness classes and other activities, according to Patch’s account of the meeting. Town officials have also emphasized that images now posted for comment are initial renderings and are not yet fully scaled or detailed designs. (patch.com) ### What did earlier surveys say residents wanted fixed? More than 2,400 people responded to the earlier survey, according to reporting on the town’s engagement summary. TAPinto Westfield reported that 90% of respondents — 2,229 people — were Westfield residents. The January summary highlighted several recurring complaints. TAPinto, citing the report, said residents pointed to a lack of walkways and accessibility, poor signage, insufficient storage, the condition of the picnic shelter and shuffleboard courts, and the distance between playgrounds for different age groups. (patch.com) Parking pressure and weekend field access also emerged as major concerns, especially for neighbors near the park. (tapinto.net) ### Where are residents seeing the biggest points of tension? Dickson Drive neighbors and other nearby residents have raised concerns about traffic and parking tied to weekend sports use, according to the engagement summary described by TAPinto. The report also cited complaints about lighting and safety on nature trails, including concerns about unleashed dogs. Mallory Clark of Dresdner Robin said at the May 5 council meeting that trails and walkability quickly emerged as priorities when residents were asked what they would use. (tapinto.net) At the same time, the range of proposed additions — from athletic facilities to circulation changes — means the redesign is drawing attention from both regular park users and nearby homeowners. ### What happens after June 15? June 15 is the current deadline for residents to submit comments on the proposed design elements, according to Westfield’s website and the mayor’s May 15 message. (tapinto.net) The town says that feedback will help Dresdner Robin form design concepts for potential enhancements. Westfield’s design-plan page says those concepts will then go to the steering committee, the Recreation Commission and the Town Council, where the public will have another opportunity to weigh in. (patch.com) The town is directing residents to its Tamaques Park design-plan materials and feedback pages for the current concept documents and comment process. (westfieldnj.gov) (westfieldnj.gov)