| The community was intended to be a self-sufficient
entity, with residential, commercial and industrial areas each supplementing
the needs of others. All property within the boundaries of the Radburn
Association is governed by The Declaration of Restrictions which runs with
the land.
In 1974, the Radburn Association site was included in the National
Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey State Register.
The residential areas include every type of housing unit with a wide
range of cost. The basic layout of the community introduced the "super-block"
concept, cul-de-sac (cluster) grouping, interior parklands, and separation
of vehicular and pedestrian traffic to promote safety. Every home was planned
with access to park walks.
There are extensive recreation programs planned for the entire community.
While the orientation is primarily toward children, there is also a full
range of adult activities. Some of the programs are: Tot Lot, Radburn PreSchool,
sports, gymnastics, aerobics, amateur dramatics, library, clubroom facilities
and a senior citizen club.
LOCATION
Radburn is located within the Borough of Fair Lawn, Bergen County,
New Jersey, 12 miles from New York City.
POPULATION
There are approximately 3100 people - some 680 families living in
Radburn.
HOUSING
Housing consists of 469 single family homes, 48 townhouses, 30 two
family houses, a 93 unit apartment complex and 10 condominium units.
GOVERNMENT
Radburn is part of the Borough of Fair Lawn. The Radburn Association,
the corporate body provided for in the covenant, collects the charge, provides
recreational programs, maintains the common property, enforces the covenants
and sets policy. The Radburn Association is operated by a Board of Trustees
composed of nine people and a manager-director. Trustees are nominated
by Board members and elected by the residents of the community and the
members of the Association.
The Citizens' Association is the civic
group to which any resident may belong. It serves as a sounding board for
public opinion, and through its president, who is automatically a member
of the Board of Trustees during his term in office, provides the trustees
with information on how residents view current issues, policies and problems.
FINANCE
The community is financed by its residents, who pay a charge based
on their Borough assessed valuation. They also pay the full Borough tax
rate. The Radburn Charge may not exceed 50% of the Borough tax rate. These
fees pay for the maintenance of properties, administration and recreation
programs.
FACILITIES AND SITE INFORMATION
Radburn consists of 149 acres including 23 acres of interior parks, 2 swimming pools,
1 tot bathing pool, 4 tennis courts, 2 Tot Lots, a ball field, 2 playgrounds, an archery plaza, 2 outdoor basketball courts and
many walks. There is also a community center which houses administrative
offices, library, gymnasium, clubroom and maintenance shops.
CONCLUSIONS
Radburn is a place where community involvement can take place; where
the emphasis is on a program to meet the needs of children of all ages,
as well as adults; where there is open space (parks); where the main thoroughfares
are separated from the pedestrian walks; where the property is small ,
but the common parks make up for the lack of yard space. It is a planned
community which still meets the needs of the people just as it has for
nearly eighty years. Times change, but the concept of Stein, Wright and
Ascher is still as valid today as it was in 1929. |
