Union City is preparing for a major renovation of Ellsworth Park, a popular outdoor space in the community.
The city is applying for funding through the New Jersey Green Acres and Urban Parks Initiative to improve the park’s safety, appearance, and overall visitor experience.
A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Jose Marti STEM Academy, 1800 Summit Avenue, Union City, New Jersey 07087, to discuss the project and gather community feedback.
Residents are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts about the proposed upgrades.
- Union City is seeking funding for the Green Acres and Urban Parks Program to renovate Ellsworth Park, including drainage improvements, playground resurfacing, new site furnishings, and a decorative fountain.
- A public hearing will be held on February 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Jose Marti STEM Academy, during which residents can learn about the project, ask questions, and share feedback.
- Union County has applied for additional Green Acres grants to improve other parks, including an inclusive playground at Unami Park, upgrades to Wheeler Spray Park in Linden, and historical restoration at the Deserted Village of Feltville.
What’s Planned for Ellsworth Park
Ellsworth Park, located on Palisade Avenue between 23rd and 24th Streets, has been a gathering place for families, children, and residents for years.
The city wants to make several improvements to keep the park a great place to visit for everyone.
The planned upgrades include a new drainage system to prevent flooding and erosion, a modern irrigation system for better landscape maintenance, and the replacement of old pavers to improve walkways.
Safety is a big focus, with new fencing around the playground and resurfacing to make play areas safer for children.
The city also plans to add new benches, picnic tables, and a decorative fountain to make the park more welcoming.
A concept plan and preliminary cost estimate for the project can be viewed online at ucnj.com.
Residents who cannot attend the public hearing in person can email their comments to David Spatz at [email protected].
Bigger Plans for Union County’s Parks
The Union County Board of County Commissioners has submitted applications for three Green Acres NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Grant projects for 2025.
The grants, managed through the Union County Open Space, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, aim to expand and improve recreational areas for residents.
One of the projects focuses on Unami Park, which Garwood and Westfield share.
The existing playground will be updated to meet Jake’s Law, which ensures that play areas are accessible to children of all abilities.
The new playground will go beyond basic ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, ensuring kids with disabilities have a fun and safe place to play.
Another project will bring much-needed upgrades to Wheeler Spray Park in Linden. It’s part of the 2025 Urban Park Green Acres Grant Program, which supports parks in urban areas that need improvements.
The third major project in the works is restoring the Deserted Village of Feltville, located in the Watchung Reservation in Berkeley Heights.
This historic site is part of New Jersey’s past, and the 2025 Stewardship Green Acres Grant Program will help restore the landscape while protecting its historic features.
The Green Acres Program
New Jersey’s Green Acres Program has been working to protect open spaces and improve public parks since 1961.
The program has helped preserve more than 716,000 acres of land across the state and fund hundreds of parks and outdoor facilities.
In 2025, the Green Acres Program will offer over $95 million in grants and low-interest loans to local governments and nonprofits.
The funding includes:
- $35.8 million for land purchases
- $42.2 million for park development
- $2.3 million for environmental restoration projects
- $8.8 million for nonprofit land acquisitions
- $4.9 million for nonprofit park projects
This year’s funding focuses primarily on helping communities that lack access to nice parks and green areas.
Nearly 84% of the funding for local projects is set aside for municipalities that serve overburdened communities, ensuring more people have access to safe and well-maintained parks.
How Residents Can Get Involved
Union County wants residents to be involved in these projects.
The county has launched an online survey at https://ucnj.org/green-acres-grants, where people can give their input.
Updates on the progress of each project will also be posted on this website.
For more information about the Ellsworth Park renovation project or other park improvement efforts, residents can contact Angelica Cedeno at [email protected] or (908) 558-2279.
