This is what New Milford has planned for the barren field next to ShopRite

NEW MILFORD — Soccer fields, a softball diamond, a dog run and a playground may be coming to a barren field that was a key element in a legal settlement between a developer and the borough.

The borough's concept plan for Knights Field, situated between a ShopRite and New Milford High School, also envisions a picnic area, open lawn, and parking lot with 113 spots. And it could be opening as soon as this year.

The plan calls for an entrance into the parking lot from Cecchino Drive, next to the high school, and a temporary gate on a roadway leading into the ShopRite parking lot to manage traffic.

There is a stormwater retention basin in the plan that could accommodate runoff from a 50-year storm.

The 4-acre parcel is part of 14 acres once owned by United Water/Suez North America that was sold to the S. Hekemian Group in 2017, after several years of legal battles over the zoning board's denial of a permit in 2014. The developer and the borough reached a settlement in 2016.

The bulk of the property is now occupied by the 70,800-square-foot ShopRite supermarket, a freestanding Wells Fargo bank and parking spaces.

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In 2018, the borough and the school district were in talks to turn the land into a football field, but that did not materialize.

Mayor Michael Putrino said the ideas for the park came from residents and local employees, and he and the borough planner chose the design.

"The borough has been given a piece of property that we can use to our advantage, and that is what I intend to do," Putrino said. "I intend to make the best use of the field for the residents of the town."

Putrino said the next step requires the borough engineer to look at measurements and determine what can actually be included, and the exact costs.

There are talks planned next week with schools Superintendent Michael Polizzi and high school Athletic Director Joseph Ricciardelli about a partnership allowing the school's softball team to practice on the field.

The borough will use $750,000 received in the legal settlement for the development of the field, which could be open by year's end.

"It's going to be awesome, it's going to be awesome," Putrino said. "Anytime you open a field and you see the smiles on the faces of kids in this town, it's a home run."

Ricardo Kaulessar is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com Twitter: @ricardokaul