Business View Civil & Municipal | July 2022

85 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 that the warehousing piece will explode in the area and that development-related impacts like traffic, environment, and aesthetics will need to be taken into account. “We’re trying to naturally protect our agricultural land and green space while keeping to the strategic vision of our Master Plan,” Frederick insists. “With our residential growth expansion, we’re also trying to do more of a clustering effect where you can have residential areas in a farmland area. So, instead of having a house on every acre or half-acre, you could do three houses over five or 10 acres. Hopefully that will preserve the natural beauty of the town holistically.” At a 210% growth rate, Woolwich Township could see its population peak at 25,000 by the time it’s built out. The challenge will come with striking the right balance of conservation vs. development, without tipping the scale towards a scenario of dense, unnecessary sprawl. “Right now, we’re laying the infrastructure,” Frederick explains. “We’re creating the foundations for what will either be residential, retail, or commercial. At the same time, we’re here to support the farmland, small-town businesses, and local families. Not just in Woolwich but in the neighboring boroughs as well. There are lots of people in our situation with kids all about the same age. We’ve all kind of grown up together – the adults and the kids – so it’s turned into a nice community with a lot of support.” In 2020, Woolwich Township received a $500,000 Green Acres loan to expand Locke Avenue Park, an area Mayor Frederick calls the “sports hub” of the township. Proposals have already been approved to create 2.5 multi-use fields for sports like lacrosse and soccer, in addition to two softball fields, plus a walking path extension to Racoon Creek. The design plans are in keeping with the township’s on-going commitment to creating a walkable town center, one that co- exists with sensible green spaces and useful civic places. Other recreational activities include a new disc golf course and a planned pickle ball complex. WOOLWI CH TOWNSHI P , NEW JERSEY 50 years of industry experience, knowledge, expertise, and technical skills PO Box 68, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 856-451-5300 | www.southstateinc.com