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Is the Schenkmeyer Park haven at risk?

I received a letter from Mayor Jun Choi dated April 29, inviting the community to a town hall meeting. The township received a $72,000 grant from Middlesex County to create bike/pedestrian connections between parks and public buildings. The meeting is to discuss the bicycle connection between the Municipal Complex, Edison train station, Schenkmeyer Park on North 8th Avenue, one block from my home, Rabbi Pesach Rayman Yeshiva and Congregation Ohr Torah; James Madison school and the tennis courts on North 8th. Also to be installed are park and picnic benches and drinking fountain along the route.

As an observant Jew I chose to live in a religious neighborhood. Now I will be faced with bike riders traveling through the neighborhood and utilizing the park and tennis court at all hours. This will be quite upsetting especially during our Sabbath. I can only imagine people from outside the area playing music, drinking beer, and partying. Schenkmeyer Park, which I was involved in refurbishing, is a haven for young families and their many young children, particularly on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays. Has the township truly thought this through? I doubt it.

Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg
Congregation Beth-El
Edison