From the Community Director
Fully inclusive Playground
“Jake’s Law” Grant Survey
The Mayor and Council is considering filing an application under the State’s Jake’s Law Playground grant program for a fully inclusive playground for children and adults with every ability. The playground would be located at McBride Field, adjacent to the existing parking lot. The Jake’s Law Playground grant, if approved, would fund 75% of the cost of the playground. The playground aligns with the Mayors Wellness Campaigns’ mission to promote healthy activities and well-being in our community.
An all-inclusive playground will promote the physical and social well-being of our entire community, and provide accessible and diverse recreational opportunities. An inclusive playground will enhance the quality of life for our residents, strengthen our community bonds, and create long term memories, and friendships for our community. Children and adults with and without disabilities would enjoy an all-inclusive playground. Additional information is available at www.franklinlakes.org/JakesLawPlayground.
We want your input. A public hearing at an upcoming Mayor and Council meeting and a separate Community Engagement meeting has been scheduled – see details below. There will be a brief presentation at both meetings, followed by time for your questions and comments.
A Public Hearing is scheduled for New Jersey Green Acres Jake’s Law Playground Grant Application on Tuesday, January 21, at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers, Borough Hall.
Please click on the “Take Survey Here” button below to complete a survey so that we can have the benefit of your thoughts on this proposed playground project.
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Community Engagement Planning Meeting for Jake's Law Playgound
Borough Hall, Council Chambers
Thursday, January 16, 2025 6:00 PM
Please join us on January 16th in the Council Chambers in Borough Hall to learn more about and give your feedback for “Jake’s Law” all-inclusive playground proposed to go onto McBride Field. Public engagement is the most important focus to determine open space and recreation community needs. Parks and Recreation believes that involving the public in project planning is critical. Meaningful community engagement ensures that the investment of public funds reflects the community’s needs and priorities. If you have questions prior to the meeting please email, Dina Robinson, Community Director drobinson@franklinlakes.org.
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From Community Director
Proper Disposal of Pet Waste
While walking around the Borough of Franklin Lakes, it is disappointing to see our residents not cleaning up after their pets. Our parks, fenced in ballfields, and walking paths are beautiful for all to enjoy. We also have a beautiful maintained dog park, “Old Mill Woodlands Dog Park,” where your pets can enjoy interacting with other dogs.
Please pick up after your pets, keep dogs on a leash, and keep pets off recreation fields including fenced in ballfields. Pet waste stations and garbage cans are conveniently available throughout our parks and paths for you to obtain a bag and dispose of your waste filled dog bags. Remind other owners to also scoop their dog’s solid waste.
All pet owners and keepers are required to immediately and properly dispose of their pet's solid waste deposited on any property, public or private, not owned or possessed by that person. Solid waste is expelled from the bowel of a pet, commonly known as excrement, feces, or poop. It's the law. Pet waste should be placed in a designated waste receptacle, or container for disposal. Violation of Borough Code 157-30 shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000. Keep in mind the same rules apply in the dog park.
Pet waste bags are inexpensive, portable, and widely available. The Mayors Wellness Campaign also has pet waste bags available. Stop by the Recreation office at 1 Vichiconti Way or at Borough Hall to pick up a bag dispenser! Thank you for helping to keep our parks and paths clean.
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Upcoming Meetings at Borough Hall
- Monday, January 13 at 6:30 PM, Recreation and Parks Meeting, Conference Room
- Wednesday, January 15 at 7:30 PM, Planning Board Reorganization & Regular Meeting, Council Chambers
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Blood Drive - Be A Hero, Donate Blood - Register Now!
Thursday, January 16, 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
The Franklin Lakes Mayors Wellness Campaign will host a Blood Drive on Thursday, January 16, 2025. It’s safe to donate blood, and it's more important than ever! All healthy donors are urged to donate now; donating blood is safe and easy to do, but there are a few basic requirements to donate blood. If you're in good health and meet the general eligibility blood donation requirements, then you are likely able to give blood. There is a critical need for blood. Remember, "Because of you, life doesn't stop."
Register here, appointments are required. Event flyer. Donor guidelines.
Location: Franklin Lakes Ambulance Corps Building, 480 Bender Court, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
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Farmers & Artisan Market - Save the Dates
Saturdays, May 10 through October, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The Franklin Lakes Mayors Wellness Campaign will be hosting a Farmers & Artisan Market starting this Spring at Veterans Plaza. The market will feature 20+ vendors each week. You can expect fresh produce, artisanal breads and baked goods, meats and dairy, spices and sauces, beverages, prepared foods and snacks, home and beauty, pet goods and treats, health and wellness, arts and activities, interactive and retail, children activities, crafters and food trucks. As we get closer to May, I will send out the vendor list to kickoff the event on May 10. Save-the-date to support our community, local vendors, and small business. A huge thank you to Columbia Bank who is our presenting sponsor. If you or your business would like to sponsor or be involved, email drobinson@franklinlakes.org.
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From Recycling Coordinator | |
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Christmas Tree Recycling Collection
Friday, January 17, 2025
There will be curbside collection of Christmas trees throughout the Borough. The collection may take several days starting on Friday, January 17. Please be patient as Gaeta works its way through the town which may take a few days. Remove all ornaments and do not place tress in plastic bags. Trees in plastic bags will not be picked up. Do not place Christmas trees in the street.
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Recycle Right
Please Do Not Bag Recyclables
Did you know that if you put your recycling in plastic bags, your whole load will end up in the landfill? To ensure your valuable recyclables get turned into something new, always put commingled recyclables directly into your recycling bin. To learn more about recycling, please visit www.franklinlakes.org/recycleright.
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Schedule a Curbside Collection for Bulk Waste, and Metal/Appliance Recycling
Details on curbside collections that need to be scheduled, visit Metal/Large Appliance and Bulk Waste. Residents must schedule a collection by completing a request form for bulk waste and metal and large appliance pick-up no later than10:00 AM the day before the scheduled date of collection.
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Donate Bulk Waste Items
Before you place any bulk waste items out for curbside collection, consider donating any furniture or household items. A list of local organizations is available at www.franklinlakes.org/donations.
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Upcoming Community Events
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The Old Stone Music and Coffee House - Friday, February 7th. Tim Gysin (our favorite “Piano Man”) will be performing from 8-10 pm. Doors open at 7:30. $10 cover charge, which includes entry and unlimited coffee, tea, a cold drink and some yummy baked goodies. BYOBOW is allowed. Bring a donation for the CUMAC food pantry, and you'll be entered in a drawing to get your cover charge back. Event flyer.
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Library Car and 50/50 Raffle - The Franklin Lakes Library Foundation is selling 4,000 raffle tickets at $100 per ticket. To purchase a ticket mail a check made out to Franklin Lakes Library Foundation, 470 DeKorte Drive, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417. Flyer.
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Franklin Lakes Library - Find out what's happening at the Franklin Lakes Library, view our weekly newsletter. A full list of programs and services is available at franklinlakeslibrary.org.
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Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce - Monthly Networking Meetings, 7:00 AM, second Friday of the month at the OEM Building.
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Stay Connected with Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education
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Help Keep Franklin Lakes Safe! | |
The Latest Buzz
"The Latest Buzz" will give updated status reports on those issues that seem to generate the most buzz throughout town, that may be under-reported in other news outlets. We will keep this information fresh and up-to-date, with the "Last Updated" date noted at the end of each article.
For more information on the following topics visit: www.franklinlakes.org/buzz.
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