Open Space Plan
November 15th, 2006
According to park standards, for every 1000 residents Hoboken should have 2.5 acres of active recreational space. Thus Hoboken should have 100 acres to serve its current population of over 40,000. Presently Hoboken has a little over 30 acres of park land.
In 2004, the Hoboken Master Plan was adopted with an Open Space Plan( see Map below) which identified 20 acres of land for new parks to increase the total park land to 50 acres. Many of these properties identified for new parks were zoned industrial. If these properties are developed, there will be no land left in Hoboken for more parks. This is why the City needs to act now to acquire the land for its future. These parcels are the last remaining sites where adequate parks can be developed in town.
The Master Plan
The Master Plan park plan attempts to service neighborhoods that are in the most need of parks using the remaining lots available. To lose any one of these identified lots is to underserve those neighborhoods forever. Park space and recreation for children is most important in higher density neighborhoods where children typically do not have access to a backyard, patio or deck. Multi-unit housing may meet certain needs of the City, it does not, however, afford children, kids and adults the opportunity to spend time outdoors to play, converse and relax. Often, parks are the ONLY opportunity a family has to spend time together outside. This is why it is critical that more parks be located within walking distance of older, multi-family units and newer developments.