Jefferson Park, on Jefferson Street between First and Second streets, was recently renovated to maximize park space with brand new playground equipment for children of different ages, two climbing structures, and a new turf safety surface. The features were the result of feedback from parents, children, and educators who frequently use the park.
On July 13, Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Councilman Ruben Ramos, Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, and children from the Boys and Girls Club of Hoboken and the Hoboken Dual Language Charter School all celebrated the grand opening.
“Thanks to our collaboration with the community, Hoboken was able to renovate Jefferson Park with brand new playground equipment and modern features that benefit the entire neighborhood,” said Mayor Bhalla.
“Now, more than ever, it’s critical to continue with quality-of-life upgrades in our outdoor public spaces, and I know this new park will be well utilized by our youngest residents. I’m appreciative to all of the parents and children, especially everyone from the Boys and Girls Club and HoLa, who helped come up with the final design.”
Bhalla thanked the members of the Friends of Jefferson Park who contributed to the design process.
Councilman Ruben Ramos, who represents the ward where the park is located, said, “I’m extremely excited to see the new play equipment and safety surface at Jefferson Street Park … This is another positive park project for Southwest Hoboken, and I thank all those who helped make it possible.”
Open space projects ongoing
Said Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, “It is wonderful to see this playground open and share in this event with a number of the residents who actively participated in the community engagement process during the planning phase. I am grateful for the leadership of Director Jennifer Gonzalez in making this project so successful. She worked with many stakeholders to come up with a plan that was responsive to the needs of HoLa, the Boys and Girls Club, and families in this neighborhood. My thanks go to Mayor Bhalla as well for prioritizing this project. Now more than ever, we are realizing the importance of public spaces to allow our children to run, play, and feel some normalcy.”
Jefferson Park is open from 8 a.m. until dusk. As in all parks, face masks are required if over the age of 2.
Since 2018, Hoboken has undertaken a number of projects to improve public spaces, including the renovation of Madison Park, the renovation of dog parks with modern turf surface in Church Square and Stevens Parks, the creation of a new dog park at Second and Hudson streets, and the opening of a new resiliency park and public plaza at 7th and Jackson.
The city is currently expanding the Maxwell Park dog run, replacing the gravel surface with synthetic turf, adding new benches, a dual water fountain, pet waste stations, and fencing.
Three trees will be removed for the expansion of the dog run, but six new trees will be planted.
The city is constructing the five-acre Northwest Resiliency Park, installing a new safety surface at Elysian Park, and rehabilitating the South Waterfront from Pier A to Pier C, which includes resetting pavers along the walkway, installing a new irrigation system, planting new trees, and upgrading Pier A lighting to LED.
If interested in joining Friends of Jefferson Pakr, email Director Jennifer Gonzalez at jgonzalez@hobokennj.gov.
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