Somerset County's Franklin Township is somewhat of a mini-New Jersey with a diversity of culture, religion, ethnicity, housing and land use from the newest houses to some 18th century historic houses. One will find everything here from urban to rural. A relatively new arrival to the township is the influx of several age restricted housing developments complete with recreational facilities.
Located between
New Brunswick and Princeton, two of New Jersey's largest corporate business centers, the township is approximately 40 miles from New York City. Interstate 287 crosses Franklin's northern tip, while Routes 18, 1, 22, 206 and 202 surround its borders, providing easy access to a variety of shops and services. BridgewaterCommons, Menlo Park Mall, Quaker Bridge Mall and Princeton's ForrestalVillage are all popular destinations. Many corporations have found Franklin's central location to be advantageous for business. The industrial areas are centered around Davidson Avenue and Veronica Avenue. Veronica Avenue has a number of medical-related facilities. Franklin's corporate neighbors include Cardinal Health, Sun Microsystems, Frito Lay, Federal Express, Kyocera Optics, Mary Kay, Cosmair/L'Oreal Inc. and a number of major hotels. Franklin has been able to maintain its manufacturing base with Rotor Clip and smaller manufacturing companies in town that are related to the biotech, computer, communications and pharmaceutical fields. The town also has the GardenStateExhibitCenter, which hosts a variety of consumer, trade and private events.
The abundance of businesses here means there are plenty of job opportunities for residents close to home, though many still commute outside the area to work. Those traveling to Manhattan can catch NJ Transit trains in Bound Brook and New Brunswick. Commuting in and out of town is evenly mixed.
As a contrast and balance to its industrial parks, FranklinTownship boasts 8,860 acres of beautiful preserved land. State preserved land, such as the Delaware & RaritanCanalState Park and the Six Mile Run Reservoir, are nearly 5,000 acres. More than 430 acres is preserved farmland with some farms still operational. Constructed in 1834, the Delaware and RaritanCanal is a highlight of Franklin. It runs the entire length of the township,from Princeton at the southern tip of the township up to South Bound Brook, then it extends along the northern border of the town from South Bound Brook to New Brunswick.
Franklin has ColonialPark with its picnic sites, playgrounds, fishing ponds, play fields, tennis courts and a paved bicycle path. The 542-acre park has frontage on both the Delaware and RaritanCanal and the MillstoneRiver. The Rudolf Van Der Good Rose Garden at ColonialPark displays more than 3,000 roses of nearly 300 varieties. At Cook Natural Area in Kingston, a 26-acre forest has a short trail among ponds and native trees. Naaman Williams Park features the community pool. Spooky Brook Golf Course and Quailbrook Golf Course are 18-hole facilities owned and operated by the county and open to the public. Bunker Hill and Tara Greens are private courses available to residents.
Franklin's Department of Recreation provides programs for youths, teens, adults and the Senior/Community Center hosts programs for seniors, as well as other community activities.
The FranklinSchool District includes Conerly Road, Elizabeth Ave, Franklin Park, Hillcrest, Macafee, Pinegrove Manor, Sampson G.Smith and the new FranklinHigh School. The NCLB Report provides a detailed analysis of the local public schools. Vist my website for links to more school data that you can use. Franklin also boasts a newly expanded public library located on Demott Lane.
Opportunities for higher learning close to home include Rutgers University in New Brunswick, Princeton University in Princeton, Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, Rider University in Lawrence and Raritan Valley Community College in North Branch.
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