07 Jun ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES FACELIFT PLANNED FOR ESSEX COUNTY RIKER HILL ART PARK
Published on June 7, 2019
Livingston, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced the Essex County Riker Hill Art Park will receive a $1.1 million facelift during a press conference on Friday, June 7th. The upgrades will improve public access, address flooding concerns and enhance aesthetics.
“Essex County Riker Hill Art Park is a hidden gem in our historic Parks System and the upgrades being made as part of this project will make the facility more user friendly and encourage the public to experience the natural beauty of the landscape and the creativity of the artists,” DiVincenzo said. “A great deal of thought and public participation went into setting the priorities for this project. It’s evident improvements are needed at the Art Park and it became clear during the public hearings that the neighbors and residents were ready to see changes made. I thank the members of the Township Council for joining with us and supporting this process and the improvements,” he added.
“This is such a beautiful place but so many people are unaware that Riker Hill Art Park is even here. I am looking forward to the improvements because whatever Joe touches turns to gold, especially our parks,” Freeholder Len Luciano said.
“This is a joyous occasion for Livingston. When we approached the County Executive about making improvements, he acted immediately. We appreciate the attention being given and look forward to how beautiful it will be,” Livingston Mayor Al Anthony said. “A lot of people don’t know this park exists, but with the improvements that will be made, more people will be attracted to visit Riker Hill,” Livingston Councilman Rudy Fernandez said. “The missile base was here to protect us and now the County Executive is taking steps to protect and preserve Riker Hill. I thank him for that,” Livingston Councilman Michael Vieira said.
“The artists at Riker Hill create art and take it out into the world. We welcome the opportunity to work with Essex County and are thrilled it will become as beautiful on the outside as what is created inside,” said Ellen Hanauer, president of the Riker Hill Artists’ Association.
The improvements being made include the installation of sidewalks and curbing, addressing flooding issues along the western section of the roadway, repairing stairways, making sure the artists’ studios and the main exhibit building are handicap accessible, creating a designated scenic overlook site that includes message boards that tell the history of the former missile base and park, updating directional, parking and building signage, updating the facades of the artists’ studios, and creating a community garden that has some plots designed to allow people with disabilities the opportunity to garden.
Suburban Consulting Engineers from Flanders was awarded a professional services contract for $56,515 to design the improvements. APS Contracting from Paterson was awarded a publicly-bid contract for $1,186,010 to perform the construction work. The project is being funded through the County’s Capital Budget. Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.
Several public meetings were held throughout 2018 to hear public opinion and ideas about improving Riker Hill Art Park. In August 2018, DiVincenzo immediately addressed concerns raised about traffic safety on Beaufort Avenue, the road leading into the park. Trees and overgrown brush were cut back and removed to improve sight lines and the drainage system along Beaufort was upgraded to address flooding.
DiVincenzo had proposed to make improvements to Riker Hill Art Park in 2008, but the plan was met with a great deal of opposition from area residents and artists who rent space in the park.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, paddle boating, four off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. The 42-acre Riker Hill Art Park was a U.S. Army Nike Missile Base in the 1950s. Essex County purchased the property from the federal government in 1974 and converted the buildings that once housed army facilities into studio space for artists.
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