The name, suggested by Township Historian June Kennedy and endorsed by the Parks and Pathways Committee, received Township Committee approval in a unanimous vote on Tuesday, May 10.

“You can’t get more descriptive than Farmstead Park,” Kennedy said after the meeting. “It’s a nice, dignified name.”

The township purchased the 36.5-acre farm as municipal open space in July 1999. Extending to the Passaic River, it features an 18th century farmstead once owned by the Rev. Samuel Kennedy, a pastor of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church.

The township has added a municipal soccer field and is considering additional features like a bike path, a canoe portage area, a camping area, and a playground.

Township Parks and Recreation Director Peter Wright initially dubbed the farm as “River Bend Park,” but the Township Committee never warmed up to the name.

In May 2004, the committee also rejected “River Run Park.” Committeewoman Carolyn Kelly saw potential confusion with the Riverwalk Village shopping center on Martinsville Road, River Road Park in Bedminster Township, and Riverside Park in Long Hill Township.

The Parks Committee subsequently proposed “Legacy Park,” but the Township Committee rejected that proposal in a unanimous vote on Jan. 25.

Two months later, Kennedy presented the Parks Committee with four prospective names – Farmstead Park, Twin River Park, Meadowview Park and Revolutionary Park. Farmstead Park received five out of six votes.

Though happy with the choice, Kennedy also confessed to a fondness for “Twin River Park.”

“It was for the Passaic River and the Dead River,” she said. “We thought that was kind of nice.”

In any event, Farmstead Park can now take its place alongside Southard Park, Pleasant Valley Park and Harry Dunham Park. Still to be named is the emerging new park on Mountain Road.