01 Aug ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES RECREATION FACILITY UPGRADE COMPLETED IN ESSEX COUNTY IVY HILL PARK IN NEWARK
Published on August 1, 2024
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on Thursday, August 1st that a project to modernize recreation facilities in Essex County Ivy Hill Park in Newark was completed. This project is part of the County Executive’s ongoing initiative to provide the most up-to-date recreation facilities that fulfill the changing needs of the community.
“Residents rely on our parks system for recreation, relaxation and exercise. We always want to make sure our recreation facilities are in the best condition so we can meet the demand from the community and ensure they can play on the most up-to-date and safest courts,” DiVincenzo said.
“We are honored to have such a great relationship with Essex County and appreciate the attention given to and the investments made in Ivy Hill Park. This is a wonderful enhancement,” said Seton Hall University Director of Athletics and Recreation Bryan Felt.
“Thank you for getting this done. It is a huge improvement for our softball team which uses the field and for others coming to the park,” said Seton Hall University Softball Coach Angela Churchill.
A new comfort station with two all gender bathrooms that are handicapped accessible was constructed next to the Mike Sheppard, Sr. Softball Field in the northern corner of the park. People using the field will no longer have to walk to the Mt. Vernon Place side of the park to access restroom facilities. In addition, LED fixtures were installed on the light poles, the dugouts at the Sheppard Field were updated and landscaping was planted around the building and field.
French and Parrello from Wall received a professional services contract for $99,500 to design the building. Grove Contracting from Cedar Grove was awarded a publicly bid contract for $1,076,525 to perform the construction work. The project was funded with grants from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund and the American Rescue Program.