Edgemoor

Edgemoor

Edgemoor
Amenities/character

Edgemoor is a diverse neighborhood. We have single-family homes, apartments, triplexes and a mobile home park. We have three churches, a day care facility, several small stores, a few restaurants and two parks. One park, Puryear, has six tennis courts, racquetball courts, baseball and soccer fields, a playground in the center and sandboxes for young children. Edgemoor Park, nearby, has lovely grass, trees, benches and a large area for picnics or just communing with nature. Next to our neighborhood, we have a city-owned golf course.

The pride in the area is shown in our strong neighborhood association -- choosing to work together for yard sales, an occasional covered-dish dinner and an annual picnic. We invite you to come and share in our good spirit and friendly atmosphere.

Architecture

Many homes were built in the 1950-60s, and are masonry buildings with carports and garages, sun porches and cement driveways. The architecture is simple; the landscaping is amazingly beautiful.

History

The northeastern portion of our neighborhood was plotted during the famous land boom of the 1920s, and then came the crash of 1929. The streetcar line only went as far as 18th Avenue North, and so, this area was considered "country."

In the 1950s, a builder, Robert Ala, developed the area and the second Edgemoor plot was made. By 1959, there were several houses east of 1st Street, which was then a two-lane dirt road that ended at the 54th Avenue canal.

In the 1960s, the streets were paved. Fourth Street was four-laned all the way to the city limits (Gandy Boulevard).

In 1980, 1st Street was four-laned and extended from 62nd Avenue to 77th Avenue North.

Jack Puryear Park was opened in the 1980s. The construction of Canterbury School at the eastern end of 58th Avenue, gives us our second private school in the area, since Shorecrest Preparatory School adjoins our neighborhood at the 54th Avenue Canal.

In 1994, neighbors came together to form the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association, Inc. and to plan the new Edgemoor Park.

In December 1996, the Edgemoor Neighborhood Association voted to expand the boundaries to include the Southwest Circle area - 4th to 9th Streets, and 54th to 62nd Avenues North. This increased the association membership base by almost 500 households. In January 1997, general elections were held and officers and directors, including a second vice president and two directors from the new area, were voted into office.

Organizations/programs

The Edgemoor Neighborhood Association participates in and hosts a number of activities that include: membership in CONA, annual picnic in the park, adopt-a-family at Christmas, helping senior citizens at Christmas, adopted and maintain two parks and monthly newsletters to communicate with each other and the city.

In 2007 Neighborhood Association President Stan Kordecki, Vice President Tom DeMint, and Director Paul Kubala lead the neighborhood to a successful development of the first public Jai-Alai court in the country in conjunction with Edgemoor residents, Jeff Conway from NJAA, and city park resources.  The Edgemoor recieved an award from the city presented by the mayor for most innovative and persistant association.  

Neighborhood grant projects

Our first grant was through the Ponds to Parks program. We had a retention pond and surrounding area made into Edgemoor Park. All nonnative plants and trees were removed and oak trees were planted. Benches, trash cans and pooper-scoopers are now in place and a fountain with lovely multicolored lights was put in the pond.

Our second grant was through the City's Neighborhood Grant Program. We conducted a survey of the neighborhood to see what the residents would like in their area. This gave us the added opportunity to find out their main concerns.

Our third grant from the City's Neighborhood Grant program was for additional trees and benches. The nature-lovers among us are now putting these trees to use.

Our Elected Officers-

President- Richard Kirby
Vice President- Tom DeMint
Treasuer- Ryan Kelly
Secretary- Courtney Kubala
Director- Douglas Stewart
Past President - Tom DeMint
Neighborhood Association Founder/ Advisor - Conrad Weiser