Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Belle Mead, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Belle Mead, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Belle Mead, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Neighbor NewsRE/MAX InStyle today announced the opening of its new office at 21 Belle Mead, Griggstown Road, in Belle Mead, NJ. Neighbor|Updated Mon, Oct 14, 2019 at 2:38 pm ETRE/MAX InStyle today announced the opening of its new office at 21 Belle Mead, Griggstown Road, in Belle Mead, NJ. Cynthia Fowlkes serves...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
Neighbor
|Updated Mon, Oct 14, 2019 at 2:38 pm ET
RE/MAX InStyle today announced the opening of its new office at 21 Belle Mead, Griggstown Road, in Belle Mead, NJ. Cynthia Fowlkes serves as broker of record for the new location.
The new office is the second RE/MAX InStyle location in New Jersey. The brokerage opened its first office in 2013 in Skillman at 1378 Route 206, suite 202.
RE/MAX InStyle selected the Belle Mead location due to its prime location in the heart of Montgomery. The new office provides convenient access to shopping, dining, highways and public transportation. The office also allows RE/MAX InStyle to expand its reach to homebuyers and sellers throughout Somerset County, including Hillsborough, Bridgewater, Franklin, Raritan and Branchburg.
“Our expansion into Belle Mead is vital to the future growth and success of RE/MAX InStyle,” said Cynthia Fowlkes, broker/owner, RE/MAX InStyle. “Our agents are top performers and excited to expand their presence through this new location. We are committed to providing homebuyers and sellers throughout Somerset County with superior customer service.”
In addition to Cynthia Fowlkes, RE/MAX InStyle’s broker/owner team includes Doug Swearengin and Marie DeCicco. The team maintains an impressive track record of professional and community involvement. Fowlkes, Swearengin and DeCicco each hold membership with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the New Jersey Association of Realtors (NJAR). The team supports several non-profit organizations as well, including Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, New York City Relief, and Move for Hunger.
RE/MAX InStyle is looking for like-minded real-estate professionals who are committed to excellence to join its new Belle Mead location. Interested applicants may contact Yadi Maffei at 908-917-6301.
About RE/MAX InStyle
Established in 2013 in Skillman, NJ, RE/MAX InStyle is committed to empowering agents by providing excellence through entrepreneurial and hands-on leadership. RE/MAX InStyle opened its second location in Belle Mead in 2019. The brokerage includes a staff of nearly 30. To learn more about RE/MAX InStyle, visit WWW.GETINSTYLE.INFO.
Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health and HSC Commissioner Sarah Adelman hold ceremonial $5M check. Assemblyman Roy Freiman, Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer and Sen. Andrew Zwicker look on. Photo Credit: Carrier Clinic By TAPinto staffPublishedSeptember 7, 2022 at 10:34 PMBELLE MEAD, NJ - A growing number of young people experience mental health problems, a nationwide behavioral health crisis that is impacting New Jersey’s youth to devast...
Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health and HSC Commissioner Sarah Adelman hold ceremonial $5M check. Assemblyman Roy Freiman, Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer and Sen. Andrew Zwicker look on. Photo Credit: Carrier Clinic
By TAPinto staff
PublishedSeptember 7, 2022 at 10:34 PM
BELLE MEAD, NJ - A growing number of young people experience mental health problems, a nationwide behavioral health crisis that is impacting New Jersey’s youth to devastating effect and even more so following the Covid-19 pandemic.
One of the biggest challenges to providing pediatric behavioral health is an overburdened system that is leaving children and teens waiting five or more days in acute care hospital emergency rooms for access to appropriate care and services.
Legislators from the 16th District - Sen. Andrew Zwicker, Assemblyman Roy Freiman and Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer were jointed by Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin Wednesday at the Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic to highlight the combined $10 million state investment – $5 million from the FY2022 State Budget and $5 million from FY2023 – to support the capital expansion of the Carrier Clinic Child and Adolescent inpatient program.
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“Our young people are vulnerable and the biggest challenge families are up against is time,” said Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “Right now, children and teens are waiting far too long to get into the right facility, referred to the right doctor’s office, and connected to the appropriate resources. Speaking to mental health practitioners who are on the front lines, one of the things I hear about often is the lack of in-patient beds and that’s a need that this funding will help fulfill.”
The largest behavioral health facility in New Jersey, the Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic has planned a $28 million expansion. With the help of state funding, the project includes:
· Up to 52 inpatient rooms for children, adolescents, and adults;
· An Academic Teaching Center and Medical Staff Suite to expand the capacity to teach physicians and other mental health professionals; and
· The creation of a new Family Support and Resource Center, which will help patients and their families through treatment.
"We know that the only way to tackle this youth mental health crisis, is through collaboration with strong partners - government, other health care partners and community stakeholders," said Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “Together, we are making a difference.”
Continuing to prioritize a robust policy response amid the current mental health crisis, estimates put funding into mental health over the past two years at more than double New Jersey’s cumulative investment in the prior decade.
“As the parent of three young adults, I am deeply troubled by the growing number of children and teenagers struggling with their mental health,” said Zwicker (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon). “We can, and we must, do more to ensure those in need of care are able to get it. I am grateful the legislature has taken action in prioritizing mental health funding over the last two years. This expansion will help to connect more residents with the support they need, when they need it.”
“Providing proper resources for behavioral health for our children has existed well before the pandemic, but is now even more evident,” said Freiman (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon). “Many of our children are facing behavioral health challenges, and for too long, parents have struggled to locate the urgent care that they need. This funding will help the Carrier Clinic provide these critical services for our children.”
“New Jersey families can sometimes struggle to access mental health care for their children,” said Jaffer (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon). “By adding beds specifically for the behavioral health needs of children, we are working to create healthier, happier, and more resilient communities."
Last week, as part of ongoing awareness campaigns during Suicide Prevention Month, the Speaker also ighlighted the state’s $12 million appropriation for the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatric Collaborative (NJPPC). Supporting outpatient mental health care, the NJPPC helps to train pediatricians to provide care to lower acuity cases, and connects kids in need of higher-level services with specialized providers and programs.
“Governor Murphy’s administration in partnership with Speaker Coughlin and the legislature has made historic investments in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget to support and expand mental health services, particularly for young people who are struggling,” said Department of Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “These funds are building the pipeline of mental health professionals, creating more bed capacity, investing in innovation and increasing access to services for individuals across New Jersey’s communities. This expansion of services by the Carrier Clinic comes at a critically important time and these historic investments have helped make this possible.”
New Jersey has taken several steps to improve access to behavioral health care over the years: expanding mental health early intervention programs, issuing licenses for additional treatment beds, promoting measures to improve access to substance use disorder treatment and support services, and working to expand readily available access to behavioral health treatment providers. Earlier in July, the state also announced the funding for mobile crisis response in support of nationwide 988-crisis hotline.
Mountainview Park in HillsboroughPictured (from left) are Somerset County Park Commission Attorney Betsy Flanagan, Parks Deputy Director Cynthia Sullivan, Park Rangers Manager David Dendler, Parks Director Raymond Brown, Park Commissioner Kevin McCallen, Freeholder Director Patricia Walsh, Commissioners D.J. Hunsinger and Helen Haines, Freeholder Patrick Scaglione, Commissioners Dot Paluck and Scott Ross, Freeholder Deputy Director Peter Palmer, Commission President and former Gov. Donald DiFrancesco, and Parks Deputy Director/Busines...
Mountainview Park in Hillsborough
Pictured (from left) are Somerset County Park Commission Attorney Betsy Flanagan, Parks Deputy Director Cynthia Sullivan, Park Rangers Manager David Dendler, Parks Director Raymond Brown, Park Commissioner Kevin McCallen, Freeholder Director Patricia Walsh, Commissioners D.J. Hunsinger and Helen Haines, Freeholder Patrick Scaglione, Commissioners Dot Paluck and Scott Ross, Freeholder Deputy Director Peter Palmer, Commission President and former Gov. Donald DiFrancesco, and Parks Deputy Director/Business Administrator Daniel Livak. (courtesy photo)
HILLSBOROUGH - Members of the Somerset County Freeholders and county Park Commission got an update on the nearly completed Mountain View Park during a recent site visit.
Freeholder Director Patricia Walsh announced that the new county regional park on the 369-acre site, part of the former GSA Belle Mead Depot, will be open to the public in the spring of 2017.
"We're very excited to see the progress here," Walsh said. "The county now has over 15,000 acres of preserved parkland and open space. Mountain View Park will be a great addition to our recreational offerings."
The property is next to the county's 5,500-acre Sourland Mountain Preserve and is in close proximity to the township's Ann Van Middlesworth Park. The property is flat and relatively open, providing a sweeping vista of the Sourland Mountain, according to a news release.
The township agreed to jointly acquire the property with Somerset County in 2008. The Somerset County Improvement Authority ultimately acquired the property in 2009 for just under $15.8 million.
Following the purchase, the county and township established a committee of municipal and county officials to oversee the remediation, development and maintenance of the property. The funds from the purchase were placed in escrow accounts and have been used toward a massive clean-up of the site.
The GSA Joint Administrative Committee oversaw the preparation of a master plan that identified a long-range plan and strategies to develop the proposed site into a regional park to serve the park and recreational needs of the residents in the southern portion of Somerset County.
The final plan included the development of a complex of lighted baseball/softball fields. Other amenities include batting cages, a playground, pavilion, concession/restroom facility, park maintenance facility and paved perimeter multi-use trail with associated parking.
The project contract award of $16.7 million went to Tomco Construction of Lake Hopatcong. Groundbreaking was held just under two years ago, on Oct. 25, 2014.
Babs Leese/Somerset ReporterHILLSBOROUGH — A former prisoner-of-war camp may be filled with nature trails, a recreation center, a skate park and ball fields if Hillsborough residents get their way.About 50 residents showed up to a design charette on Wednesday night to share what they wanted, and didn’t want, to see in the former Belle Mead Depot, an old government property from World War II.Gathering around maps supplied by the architects and engineers who are working with the township on plans, residents pla...
Babs Leese/Somerset Reporter
HILLSBOROUGH — A former prisoner-of-war camp may be filled with nature trails, a recreation center, a skate park and ball fields if Hillsborough residents get their way.
About 50 residents showed up to a design charette on Wednesday night to share what they wanted, and didn’t want, to see in the former Belle Mead Depot, an old government property from World War II.
Gathering around maps supplied by the architects and engineers who are working with the township on plans, residents placed cardboard pieces on the maps to represent what they wanted for the depot.
Babs Leese/Somerset Reporter
The cardboard pieces had scaled-to-size pictures of go-kart tracks, ball fields, an aquatic center, an amphitheater and a dog park, among other choices.
“It’s like playing monopoly,” said Hillsborough resident Dennis Sitarik, who lives on Oxford Place near the depot site.
The idea was to get a picture of what would fit and how possible options could be arranged, said Patrick Hoagland, an architect with Kentucky-based Brandstetter Carroll Inc., a company that has been working with the township since August on designing the depot.
“It’s to help us get an idea of what should be included and what priorities should be,” Hoagland said, adding, “It’s a matter of fitting everything in and doing it in a way that’s pleasing to everyone.”
The design charette, though, showed that it might be hard to please everyone in Hillsborough, especially those living in the immediate area of the depot.
Although residents collectively ranked nature trails, a comprehensive indoor recreation center and a skate park highest, each person seemed to have a different vision for the 369-acre plot.
“Everybody’s got a wish here,” said Hillsborough resident George Cox, who lives near Sitarik on Oxford Place.
Cox, who has lived near the depot for 10 years, said he would like to see a good mix of new ball fields and open space preservation. But he added that he doesn’t want more lights glowing long into the night at those ball fields.
His house on Oxford Place is close enough to see the lights from fields at another park.
“I’m all for more ball fields, but don’t go late into the evening,” he said.
He and Sitarik were hesitant about building a new recreation center and adding to the taxpayer’s burden. Sitarik said he worried about the corresponding money for building and maintaining swimming pools and centers.
Keith Mindish, who described himself as the representative of the Cub Scouts at the charette, said he would like to see a banquet-type facility instead of a recreation center.
His 6-year-old son is a Cub Scout, and Mindish would like to have a place for scout activities and sports ceremonies.
Vicki Schwartz, who lives in the Woodfield Estates area of Hillsborough, said she would rather see the wetland and natural areas left alone in the depot property.
The property is home to a plethora of wildlife like spotted turtles, frogs, snakes and deer, said Charles Cunion, a representative from the RBA Group, another engineering and architectural firm that is working with Brandstetter and the township.
Schwartz said the important thing should be that the township should not build facilities that are already built elsewhere in Hillsborough.
“They should take advantage of what’s here, and that’s natural land,” said Schwartz, who volunteers as a naturalist for non-profit organizations.
Her table submitted a list of things they did not want along with what they did want. The don’t-want list had things like a velodrome, or an arena for track cycling, and an indoor recreation center.
Other residents vied for performing arts and cultural centers. Some wanted a massive indoor aquatic center. Many did want the huge recreation center with treadmills, basketball courts and a walking track running along the ceiling.
Others cited a lack of good biking areas in Hillsborough as a reason for installing bike trails that would run throughout the property.
The vision for the area is a mix of everything, Hoagland said in a presentation to the gathered residents. He read from a slideshow that the optimum plan would be “balanced between maintenance of existing facilities, new active and passive activities and open space for the future.”
Joetta Clark Diggs, a former Olympian and head of an advisory committee for the depot, also said a combination of the different options would be ideal.
“I would like to see a good mix of what we have in town now: youth activities, senior activities, cultural activities and family activities,” Diggs said. “I want to see something that mirrors the community.”
The committee, engineers, architects and township have a long way to go. The design process only began in August, and environmental remediation hasn’t been started in full.
The depot land was a storage site for materials during World War II, along with housing Italian prisoners of war. It continued storing materials until the 1980s, and various contaminants have leaked into the ground and surrounding area during that time, said Tom Miller, counsel for Somerset County.
Complete environmental remediation won’t begin, though, until a plan is set in place.
“They have to go hand-in-hand,” Miller said. “As we design it we want to excavate and shape the area to facilitate the uses. That way we can save money by doing both.”
Residents threw around the issue of money during the charette, wondering aloud where funding would come from for the design and if it would be the responsibility of the township or the county to pay.
Although the park will be located in Hillsborough, it will serve as a county park for the southern half of Somerset County, Hoagland said.
The county and Hillsborough bought the property together and remain 50-50 partners, Miller said. Both entities have to agree on whatever will go in the area.
On the same note, residents also asked whether money from the parks would go back to the township or the county as a whole.
Those questions didn’t receive any answers. It’s only the first phase of the design process that will last until March, and Hoagland said the budget is nowhere in the picture yet.
“We haven’t even begun to do that yet,” Hoagland said. “We like to do a lot of listening before we start designing.”
He added, though, that the budget “is going to be big.”
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Photo Credit: Tom Sobol By Jeff Grant, LD 16 Senate Belle Mead, NJ - www.jeffreygrant4statesenate.orgThis coming June 8th, district 16 primary voters will have the opportunity to accomplish something extraordinary – choose two non-establishment businessmen to compete in the November general election!New Jersey and America’s experience with career politicians occupying elected office gives citizens status quo government. Not anymore. Jeff Grant for district 16 Senate and Hirsh Singh...
Photo Credit: Tom Sobol
By Jeff Grant, LD 16 Senate Belle Mead, NJ - www.jeffreygrant4statesenate.org
This coming June 8th, district 16 primary voters will have the opportunity to accomplish something extraordinary – choose two non-establishment businessmen to compete in the November general election!
New Jersey and America’s experience with career politicians occupying elected office gives citizens status quo government. Not anymore. Jeff Grant for district 16 Senate and Hirsh Singh for governor with our campaign slogan “Make New Jersey Great Again” are offering New Jersey the opportunity to break the bonds of the old-guard and bring in fearless patriots that will fight to finally make government work for us.
Jeff is a non-establishment patriot, born in Trenton, raised in Titusville who spent his career working in New Jersey. For the past 10 years he has led and continues to lead the Central Jersey Conservative Union educating and networking with citizens that believe in our Constitution and in improving our government by protecting our freedom.
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Truth in government is an oxymoron. Citizens are often not informed about legislation, regulation, and education policy until it becomes final. So just as long-standing laws govern truth in lending, advertising, and labeling, Jeff will advance common standards of truth throughout government. By leveraging the utility of social media, citizens will enjoy quick and meaningful notification of proposed legislation, all aspects of the amendment process and thus have every opportunity to intervene along the way. With this information voters will also be best empowered to vote their mind on election day. Further, because regulations behave like laws, the same will apply to our regulatory process. Finally, parents will be empowered to readily keep abreast of state and local education policies and practices so that they can more easily fulfill their responsibility to educate their children.
Because social media platforms provide near instant news and information from all corners of the compass, this technology can be easily leveraged to bring that same wonderful utility to everyone so that they can readily exercise their responsibility to be part of government. This because citizens deserve truth from our government and constricting citizens from meaningful participation by its failure to be transparent must cease.
Truth in legislation, regulation and education offer every citizen the freedom to make a difference by making our government work for us. And freedom is the common fundamental right that we all share that bonds us together as proud New Jerseyans!