As New Jersey continues with Phase 2 of reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, municipal parks have began to reopen. North Bergen reopened its municipal parks on July 2 and is adding a new park.
On July 9, the Township of North Bergen held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the much-awaited new downtown park on Paterson Plank Road. Overlooking the Meadowlands, the new park is in part an effort to revitalize this area.
Mayor Nicholas Sacco cut the ribbon officially opening the $1.2 million park. Funding for the park included $500K from Hudson County Open Space and $220K from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
The township negotiated with Hudson Mews, the new housing project next door, to assist in site preparation and building, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in construction costs.
The new park contains many great features for kids and adults, including a spray park with water spraying from columns and up from the ground
The park features two playgrounds with rubberized surfaces for 2-5 and 5-12 year-olds, two sets of tot swings, new decorative lighting, and a gazebo with two benches.
Additional benches, receptacles, and parking spaces, including handicapped spots, have been added.
Joining Mayor Sacco in cutting the ribbon and opening the park were Parks Commissioner Hugo Cabrera, Finance Commissioner Julio Marenco, Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual, Freeholder Anthony Vainieri, Township Administrator Chris Pianese, Police Chief Peter Fasilis, Parking Authority Executive Director Robert Baselice, and other local and county officials.
The architect was Remington & Vernick Engineers The builder was Picerno-Giordano Construction.
Construction is about to begin on the new community center and library nearby. A completely renovated park will open next week on 38th Street.
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