05 May ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES $4.8 MILLION OF IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO ESSEX COUNTY INDEPENDENCE PARK Three Existing Athletic Fields are Modernized with New Synthetic Playing Surfaces and One New Soccer Field is Created
Published on May 5, 2025
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced the completion of two projects totaling more than $4.8 million to provide a major facelift to Essex County Independence Park in Newark on Friday, May 2nd. Existing athletic fields were updated with new playing surfaces and a new soccer field was created along with a variety of site improvements to completely overhaul the park. The projects are part of the County Executive’s ongoing initiative to provide the most up-to-date recreation facilities in the Parks System.
“Even though Independence Park is one of the smallest parks in our system, it is one of the most heavily used. Because of the density of the population and development in Newark’s Ironbound, this park literally is the backyard for our residents,” DiVincenzo said. “Over the last year, Independence Park has been completely redone with these four fields and the new community center. It is essential that we continue to provide these modern facilities, so children have a place to play,” he added.
“Creating a modern field is connected to economic development and improving our residents’ quality of life. Because of Joe’s commitment, these improvements happen quickly to respond to the community’s needs,” Senate Majority Leader and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said.
“It doesn’t matter what sport you play. Updating these fields is about preparing our next generation because sports plays a large role in the development of our children. We appreciate the investment the County Executive has made in Independence Park,” Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin said.
“I want to thank the County Executive. This is truly an amazing facelift and we are very happy with the results. You have positively impacted the lives of our families and children in a very big way,” Newark East Ward Councilman Michael Silva said. “This is one of the busiest parks and we definitely appreciate the improvements,” Newark North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos said. Newark At-Large Councilman Luis Quintana reminisced about when he worked in the park and mentioned that it is completely renovated.
“Joe, once again you have outdone yourself. It is unbelievable what we see here today in this park. The transformation of this park over the last two years is historic,” Ironbound Soccer co-founder John Soares said.
“This park is really our backyard. We utilize the park for our physical education programs and having the additional fields allows us to diversity and expand programs not only for East Side High School but the elementary and middle schools,” East Side High School Principal Carlos Rodriguez said.
“It is amazing to see the many people who use and enjoy this park. Parks matter a great deal, especially in this densely populated community,” said Nancy Zak of the Ironbound Community Corporation.
The first project included the revitalization of an existing soccer field and existing Little League/softball field with new synthetic grass playing surfaces, enhanced drainage systems, new fencing, benches and trash receptacles and sports lighting, and landscaping. The field upgrades were designed in-house by the Department of Public Works. The Landtek Group from Bay Shore, N.Y., was awarded a publicly-bid contract for $1,181,245 to perform the construction work.
The second project included the resurfacing of an existing soccer field with a new synthetic playing surface and the creation of a new soccer field with a synthetic playing surface. Site improvements including new drainage systems, concrete sidewalks, pathway lighting, fencing, benches, lighting and landscaping also were completed. PS&S architects and engineers from Warren was awarded a professional services contract for $525,000 to design the new fields and the Sheriff Armando and Mary Fontoura Community Center that opened last year. Turco Golf Inc. from Pompton Lakes was awarded a publicly-bid contract for $3,636,765.
The improvements were funded with grants from the State of New Jersey and the American Rescue Plan as well as funds from the Essex County Capital Budget.
Revitalizing Essex County Independence Park
The Sheriff Armando and Mary Fontoura Community Center was opened in 2024. In 2017, a project to modernize the basketball and volleyball courts and a soccer field with new playing surfaces was completed. In 2016, the playground was modernized with new apparatus and a rubberized safety surface. In 2013, the regulation-size soccer field received a new synthetic grass surface playing surface. In 2011, the softball/little league field at the corner of Van Buren Street and Oliver Street was upgraded with a synthetic grass surface and new fencing, and the field house was renovated. In 2010, the Senior Building received a comprehensive renovation. Essex County has worked cooperatively with the Down Neck Sports Community Group and SPARK to receive grant funding from the NJ Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund to fund improvements to Independence 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 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, miniature golf course, six dog parks, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. At 12.69 acres, Independence Park is the fifth smallest park in the historic Essex County Park System. Land for Independence Park was acquired in 1895.