Committee Erects Temporary Fence for Shunpike

The Chatham Township Committee said they put up some temporary fencing around Shunpike Field in response to concerns voiced by neighboring residents that access back and forth to the field posed an inconvenience and a possible danger.

Residents of Lake Road and surrounding streets have told the committee previously that , especially in fall and winter when the trees that act as a buffer between the field and residences are devoid of leaves. During the summer when the trees have leaves it is still possible to see and hear the fountain at Sunset Lake from the bleachers at Shunpike Field.

Members of the Sunset Lake Property Owner's Association have said for the field, but also that people could cut through the trees to swim in the lake, leaving the association open to liability.

"We had some temporary fencing we weren't using [during construction of the field]," Hagner said. "We put that up ... [and] we'll see how that goes."

Hagner said the committee would revisit the fencing if the temporary fence did not serve the desires of the community.

Lake Road resident Ruth Macpherson asked the committee to see a schedule of all recreation games scheduled on Shunpike Field so she could see how late the lights would be on. She said if play continued until 10 p.m., lights could potentially stay on until 10:30 p.m.

"There are no games scheduled [to go past] 10 during the week," Committee Member Kevin Tubbs said of the current schedule.

The ordinance specifies that lights will be turned off by 10 p.m.

The only night that play will go past 9 p.m. will be Saturdays. This could change to accommodate any games that are rained out and need to be rescheduled.

"What field has the lights? They're going to be at Shunpike," Tubbs said, referring to makeup games during the recreational season. He said, however, play at that hour should be sporadic and not the norm.

After confirming with Recreation Director Brian McNany, the committee told Macpherson Shunpike is scheduled for use on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and play is set to cease by 9 p.m.

"I don't think we have a schedule that we can share with the public, but I think we're moving a block schedule that should make it easier," Hagner said.

The opening ceremony for Shunpike Field is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1.

This article has been edited for clarification regarding the lighting ordinance and how late the field will be lit for games. Chatham Patch apologizes to our readers.