Scotch Plains Deputy Mayor Touts Parks Record in Re-Election Bid

Scotch Plains Deputy Mayor Matthew Adams traces his commitment to public service and park preservation to his grandfather, Holmes A. Adams, who served 24 years as mayor of the Borough of Neptune City. Adams Field in Neptune City, formally the Holmes A. Adams Recreational Complex, stands as a lasting monument to that service—a place where generations gather to play and connect.

"The first time I understood what public service could leave behind, I was standing in the recreation complex in the Borough of Neptune City that bears my grandfather's name, Adams Field, as a child," Adams said. That moment shaped his governing philosophy, one centered on durable public investment and spaces that outlast any single leader.

Since first seeking a council seat in 2021, Adams has named preservation and creation of recreation space as a principal priority. The township has delivered results. Since taking office, Scotch Plains has made improvements to Brookside Park, Green Forest Park, Kramer Manor Park, Greenside Playground, and Southside Field. In 2025, the township acquired the Highland Swim Club property—a transaction Scotch Plains described as the largest open space preservation project in decades. Haven Park is scheduled to be overhauled in 2026.

Adams frames his commitment to parks in philosophical terms that extend beyond any single election cycle. "Public office may be temporary, but the parks, fields, and community spaces we build and preserve can shape generations," he said. "The best investments local government can make are those that improve everyday life for families and endure long after the people who made them are gone."

On the role of public parks themselves, Adams articulated a vision of equity and accessibility: "A public park doesn't care what neighborhood you live in, what your social status is, what political party you belong to, or whether you ever attended a council meeting. Its gates are open to everyone. Parks are not luxuries. They are the essential building blocks of a community."

Adams also reflected on the nature of service itself. "Public service is not supposed to be about the person occupying the office. It is supposed to be about what that person does with the opportunity while they have it." That philosophy has guided his work alongside Councilwoman Elizabeth Stamler and Councilman Roc White as the township continues to invest in the spaces residents depend on daily.

Union County Life covers Scotch Plains government, civic initiatives, and community leadership. Find more Scotch Plains events, businesses, and local news on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: What was Matthew Adams' principal priority when he first sought council office in 2021?
A: Preservation and creation of recreation space. Since taking office, the township has improved Brookside Park, Green Forest Park, Kramer Manor Park, Greenside Playground, and Southside Field. In 2025, Scotch Plains acquired the Highland Swim Club property, described as the largest open space preservation project in decades.

Q: Who is Matthew Adams' grandfather and what is his connection to public service?
A: Matthew Adams' grandfather, Holmes A. Adams, served 24 years as mayor of the Borough of Neptune City. Adams Field in Neptune City, formally the Holmes A. Adams Recreational Complex, is named after him and was renovated before his death. This legacy inspired Matthew Adams' governing philosophy.

Q: What is Adams' philosophy on public parks and community spaces?
A: Adams believes parks are essential building blocks of communities, not luxuries. He states that parks are accessible to everyone regardless of neighborhood, social status, or political affiliation. He emphasizes that public investments should endure long after the officials who made them are gone.

Q: What parks and recreation projects are planned for Scotch Plains in 2026?
A: Haven Park is scheduled to be overhauled in 2026. This continues the township's multi-year investment in recreation space following the Highland Swim Club property acquisition in 2025.

Q: Who are the other elected officials working with Matthew Adams on these projects?
A: Deputy Mayor Adams works alongside Councilwoman Elizabeth Stamler and Councilman Roc White on township initiatives and community investment.

Q: Where can I find more information about Scotch Plains parks and recreation programs?
A: Visit the Scotch Plains Township website at scotchplainstownship.com for information about parks, recreation programs, and community initiatives.