Cottrell Farm Park
Cottrell Farm Park
Cottrell Farm Park, located in Old Bridge, New Jersey, is the former home of a 21.5-acre 19th century apple orchard farm with roots dating back to 1831. The overall goal of the project was to provide desired recreational needs while preserving the history of the site, while averting commercial and residential redevelopment of the property which is one of the few remaining green spaces along Route 516. Thus, in 2010, Old Bridge teamed with Middlesex County and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program to purchase the land as open space for the community to enjoy.
To achieve the goal of merging history with present needs, the design created by French & Parrello Associates (FPA), who served as the project’s landscape architects and engineers, placed the more passive amenities around the existing farm buildings and the more active ones elsewhere in the park. Passive amenities include a memorial garden, multi-purpose Grande Plaza area, community garden open space areas, and active amenities include including a splash pad, comfort station, playground, amphitheater and picnic pavilion.
Parking for +100 cars, designed with a rain garden for sustainability, and a network of trails link the passive and active areas together while also providing walking opportunities for patrons.
Passive features around the existing farm buildings were constructed with 19th century materials, such as brick, to provide a sense of what might have existed at that time. An apple orchard themed park identification sign, placed at the formal park entrance from Middlesex County Route 516, further reinforces the historic feel of the four farm buildings, which were also restored for use by the municipality and community. The grand park entrance from Middlesex County Route 516 was purposely placed to lead visitors to enjoy the viewshed of the historical buildings on site. Active amenities were also designed with a farm theme to reflect the site’s overall character, as well as a future community garden, fitness parcourse, amphitheater and pavilion.
The goal of the park’s design – the successful merging of history with present day needs – is the primary unique feature of the park. As noted, the original home on the property was built in 1831 and was occupied by members of the Cottrell family until 2013. For many years, the farm produced the apples that were made into Browntown Apple Brandy or Browntown Applejack, a well-known beverage in the area. The walking trails meander through the historic apple orchards which have been preserved as part of the park’s landscape.
Landscape Architecture
Site/Civil Engineering
Electrical and Structural Engineering
Permitting
Construction Administration
SQ Foot Training Center
Seat Lecture Hall
Although the project was an overwhelming success, it was not without its challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic became a challenge during construction of the park. Initial concept work began in mid-2018 followed by construction document preparation in 2019. Project bids were accepted concurrently with the shutdown in March 2020, which delayed construction due to the non-essential nature of the project. When construction was finally able to commence, the slowdown of the product supply chain also presented further challenges to keep the project from being completed.
The project team was also faced with historical detailing challenges during the renovation of the four farm buildings and the areas surrounding them. Careful detailing was required to ensure these elements were designed using materials and standards that were present in 19th century construction that also required approval by the NJDEP Historical Preservation Office.
Although the conceptual phase for this project began well before the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for a more passive outdoor recreational facility for our community, that was not centered on sport facility, was never more prevalent. Since the grand opening of the park in June 2024, which was centered on the farm themed playground and splash pad, usage reached record levels, nearing capacity, compared to the Township’s other park facilities. In addition, the walking trails have been utilized well before the grand opening date with usage continually increasing. This recreational facility offers residents of all ages an ability to enjoy free Township recreational amenities without any financial burden.
French & Parrello Associates served as the design landscape architects and engineers from concept through construction for the new recreational facility which includes amenities such as multi purpose patio areas, splash pad, playground, walking trails, community and memorial gardens, parking for +100 cars, picnic areas and amphitheater. The design included careful placement of the new amenities to blend harmoniously with the site’s historic features.
Thus passive features constructed of 19th century construction materials such as brick were placed in and around the farm buildings to provide sense of what might have existed at that time. Active amenities including the playground and splash pad were placed away from the more historic areas and were designed with farm themes to reflect the site’s overall character. The work also included the renovation of four (4) of the site’s farm buildings for use by the municipality and community.
