On Thursday, November 16 at 6p, the community is invited to an open house in the RecPlex West auditorium to discuss the future plans for Countryside Park, which was originally gifted to the community by Tom Stolz.
Recently, Washington Township trustees adopted a Countryside Park Master Plan that provides a cohesive and comprehensive design for the 21.2-acre park. Pond and stream restoration work begins this winter, followed by projects that increase user access and amenities throughout the park.
Deteriorating structures around Bass Lake will be replaced with an observation deck, dock, kayak launch, boathouse, lakeside shelter, and fountain/aeration system.
A fishing pier on Turtle Pond and a new pedestrian bridge over Heron Pond will encourage enjoyment of the rejuvenated freshwater ponds. The addition of shelter houses and public restrooms, alongside improvements to the existing A-Frame Shelter, will expand the community’s options for gathering in the park to enjoy nature and participate in outdoor activities.
The plan also proposes the creation of a community entrance plaza that includes an outdoor stage, spray fountain, ticketing building and covered walkways between our east and west buildings, and a consolidated main entrance to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety.
Substantial grants have been secured for the initial phases of the plan, while more are being sought for future projects. Over the coming years, the existing park will be enhanced with investments that further inspire people of all ages and abilities to gather and connect with nature, and each other, for years to come.