Its history and proximity to Manhattan are pluses, but Franklin Township’s key elements are family friendliness, diverse population, and community projects. Business thrives on high-tech, pharmaceutical, and research firms, but the place also has an emerald ambience: It boasts 10 parks, including the 542-acre Colonial Park with a bicycle path, arboretum, and leash-free dog run. The William L. Hutcheson Memorial Forest encompasses a 65-acre old-growth forest that’s a National Historical Landmark.