19 Mar ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVNCENZO DEDICATES 2.2-MILE RUBBERIZED WALKING TRACK AND FITNESS APPARATUS IN ESSEX COUNTY WEEQUAHIC PARK TO WEEQUAHIC PARK ASSOCIATION FOUNDER WILBUR MCNEIL Resurfacing of Track and Installation of New Outdoor Fitness Equipment is Complete
Published on March 19, 2025
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated the 2.2-mile walking path and outdoor fitness apparatus in Essex County Weequahic Park in Newark after Weequahic Park Association founder Willbur McNeil on Wednesday, March 19th. A project to completely resurface the walking track and install modern outdoor fitness equipment was completed as part of the County Executive’s ongoing initiative to provide the most up-to-date recreation facilities in the Essex County Parks System. The walking track was originally installed in the late 1990s and was spearheaded by McNeil.
“When I took office in 2003, we only had one park conservancy that was working with our Parks Department and that was the Weequahic Park Association headed by Wilbur McNeil. Wilbur and his organization have partnered with the County to completely transform Weequahic Park into a recreation destination for people of all ages. We would not be where we are at today if it were not for Wilbur,” DiVincenzo said. “When it comes to the walking track, Wilbur was the visionary and pushed hard to get it completed. Today, it is a main attraction in the park and has been a vital part of our residents’ fitness regimes for generations. I can think of no better way to thank Wilbur for his longtime commitment to Weequahic than to name this track in his honor,” he added.
“You can’t do this by yourself. Advocating for Weequahic Park has been a community project,” McNeil said. “When I was growing up, Weequahic Park was where we spent our vacations. I really appreciate this recognition,” he added.
“Today we are celebrating a champion whose tenacity and perseverance helped transform Weequahic Park for the community. His contributions are a reminder that public service is not defined by elected titles and that individuals can make a difference,” said Senate Majority Leader and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz, who was joined by Assemblywoman Carmen Morales.
“Wilbur, you have been a caretaker of this park for many years, and it is a privilege to recognize you. This is a well-deserved honor,” said Commissioner Wayne Richardson, who also was joined by Commissioners A’Dorian Murray-Thomas and Len Luciano.
“I am happy to celebrate this moment. This is not only an opportunity to celebrate a new chapter of this park with the refurbished track, but to honor Mr. McNeil who has had a profound impact on the park,” Newark Councilman Pat Council said.
“I have known Wilbur for over 30 years, from when I first joined the Parks System. He always has been a advocate for not only Weequahic Park, but our entire parks system,” Essex County Parks Director Dan Salvante said.
“The Weequahic Park Association has had a profound impact on the park and surrounding neighborhoods. Mr. McNeil’s legacy is woven into the fabric of this special place and how he helped make it a destination in this city,” said Winniefred Hinds, current President of the Weequahic Park Association.
“I want to thank you for all that you have done in this park and for the knowledge you have shared with the rest of us to continue the work you have started,” said. Doug Freeman, President of the Weequahic Park Sports Authority.
Signage and plaque recognizing McNeil were installed near the walking track at the Meeker Avenue entrance. The plaque begins with a quote by Theodore Roosevelt: “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.” It continues: “Essex County Weequahic Park is where lifelong Newark resident Wilbur McNeil spent his youth playing and, as an adult, exercising and running. In 1992, when he saw conditions in the park decline, he organized a group of long-distance runners to form the Weequahic Park Association. Three years later, the WPA became the first park conservancy to enter into a partnership agreement with Essex County. Under McNeil’s leadership, the WPA grew in membership and became a constant presence advocating for improvements and sponsoring educational, recreational and cultural events in Weequahic Park. The largest project undertaken by McNeil and the WPA was the restoration of the shoreline around Weequahic Lake and the installation of the 2.2-mile rubberized walking track – the longest track of its kind on the East Coast. This has become a popular attraction where residents walk, jog, exercise, socialize and enjoy the outdoors. Naming the track as the ‘Essex County Wilbur J. McNeil Walking Track’ is a fitting tribute to recognize Mr. McNeil’s advocacy, stewardship, partnership and hard work to strengthen the vitality of Weequahic Park.
At the time it was installed in the late 1990s, the walkway around Weequahic Lake was the longest resilient-surfaced track in the world. The popular attraction was last resurfaced in 2010 and was showing signs of regular wear and tear. This project improved grading and drainage along the walking path route and replaced the entire rubberized surface. In addition, the path of the track was realigned in the southern section of the park so it no longer passes through areas that typically flood after rainstorms. Benches and trash receptacles along the track and new signage regarding waterway rules and mileage markers were installed.
The 17 fitness stations currently around the track were replaced with new equipment and rubberized surfaces. In addition, an exercise yard that is about 75 by 75 feet was created near the Meeker Street entrance to provide additional places for people to exercise. The exercise pad also has benches and a shade structure.
Dead or diseased trees were removed and branches were pruned, landscaping was enhanced and water bottle filling fountains were introduced to the park.
French and Parrello from Wall received a $95,000 professional services contract to design the improvements. JA Alexander, Inc. from Bloomfield was awarded a publicly bid contract for $2,493,850 to perform the construction work. The Department of Public Works monitored the project to ensure delays were avoided. The project was funded with grants from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund, the NJ Green Acres Program, NJ Urban Parks Program and the NJ Department of Community Affairs. Work started in June and was completed in five months.
Revitalizing Essex County Weequahic Park
Also being planned is the comprehensive renovation and modernization of Essex County Weequahic Golf course.
In 2022, the Little League Field off of Elizabeth Avenue received a new synthetic grass surface. In 2021, the Feldman “Mootsie” Middleton, Jr. Community Center was replaced with a 15,000-square-foot modern building. In 2018, the Elizabeth Avenue playground was modernized with new apparatus and a rubberized safety surface and the restroom building was renovated. In 2017, The First Tee facilities were upgraded and the entranceway, parking lot and field house were modernized at Weequahic Golf Course as part of a $3.1 million project. In 2016, one of the baseball fields was modernized with a synthetic grass playing surface, new fencing and scoreboard and named in honor of the late Bill Hicks, a long-time little league and high school baseball coach. Also in 2016, the community center was named in honor of Feldman Middleton, Jr., one of the founders of the Weequahic Park Association and the Weequahic Park Sports Authority, and the playground was named in honor of activist Carl Sharif. In 2015, the playground by Building 92 was modernized with new equipment and a rubberized safety surface. In 2012, the four entrances to Weequahic Park received a facelift with traffic islands, lighting, paving and landscaping to beautify the area and enhance pedestrian and traffic safety, and the basketball courts were named in honor of the late Delano Gordon, founder of Above the Rim. Essex County partnered with the National Football League to install a new half-mile fitness course with six exercise stations in 2010. Weequahic Golf Course received a major overhaul in 2009 as part of $7 million modernization project in each of the County’s three public golf courses and the Weequahic Bridge was reconstructed for $3 million. A synthetic grass surface baseball field and four basketball courts were developed as part of a $1.8 million project in 2007. Essex County welcomed The First Tee and its nationally recognized youth leadership training program to Weequahic Golf Course in 2006. The First Tee constructed a state-of-the-art, three-hole youth golf facility for its program adjacent to the golf course. The playground at Building 96 at the Chancellor Avenue entrance to the park was modernized with new equipment and rubberized safety surface in 2006. The Elizabeth Avenue tennis courts were rebuilt in 2004.
DiVincenzo has partnered with the New Jersey Green Acres program, the NJ Department of Transportation, the Essex County Parks Foundation, Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board, Weequahic Park Association and The First Tee to secure grants to fund the improvements in Essex County Weequahic Park.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system in the United States. It has been expanded to include about 6,000 acres of land and includes 20 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, miniature golf course, five dog parks, a castle, Treetop Adventure Course and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Weequahic Park is 311.33 acres, is one of the original five County parks created in 1895 and is the second largest park in the Essex County System.