01 Jun ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES NEW BILAL BEASLEY COMMUNITY CENTER IN ESSEX COUNTY IRVINGTON PARK 13,000-Square-Foot Building Would Provide Modern Space for Community Activities, Programs and Events
Published on June 1, 2024
Irvington, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated a new, 13,000-square-foot Bilal Beasley Community Center in Essex County Irvington Park on Friday, May 31st. The structure provides modern accommodations for residents to gather and experience the park in a new way and provide additional space for community groups who regularly utilize the park. The project is part of the County Executive’s continuing initiative to update park facilities to meet the changing needs of the community.
“The old community center was a hub of activity in Irvington Park, but the small size of the building limited the activities that could be accommodated. This state-of-the-art facility will have the space needed and provide a more welcoming and up-to-date setting for people to enjoy their time in Irvington Park. The needs of our residents are always changing and providing this modern space will give visitors another way to enjoy and experience our park,” DiVincenzo said. “We will continue to honor Bilal Beasley by naming this building in his honor. Bilal was a consummate public servant who represented the people of Irvington and Essex County with dignity, compassion and class. An Irvington Councilman and Essex County Freeholder, he always was a gentleman and a friend to those he served. Naming this building after Bilal will be a good reminder of the positive impact he had,” he added.
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank Joe DiVincenzo for naming this building after my father so his vision stays fresh in everyone’s mind and soul,” said Omar Beasley, Mr. Beasley’s son. “I want to thank the County Executive for recognizing my father in this way. Irvington Park was a special place to him and it’s important for future generations to know how he fought,” said Irvington Council President Jamillah Beasley, who is Mr. Beasley’s daughter.
“I’ve learned so much from Bilal Beasley. People will be reminded of his contributions to the community because of this building,” Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss said.
Senate Majority Leader and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said the after school activities, senior programs and family milestone events such as birthdays “are the essence of Bilal Beasley” because of the impact the building will have on the community. “I am a proud product of Bilal Beasley. He mentored me and gave me a voice. I see the classroom in this building and all it has to offer and I know it will bring families together,” NJ State Senator Renee Burgess said.
“This building will stand as a testament and reminder about Bilal Beasley and his message of working together for the benefit of our residents,” Commissioner Vice President Tyshammie Cooper said. “I am proud to celebrate the building in honor of Bilal Beasley. I know he would be beaming with excitement,” Commissioner Romaine Graham said. “What a beautiful building and dedication to a pioneer and a friend who gave me his blessing to follow him on the Commissioner Board. I also want to thank the County Executive for his vision to name facilities after people who have done so much for Essex County,” Commissioner Wayne Richardson said.
“I never met anyone who embodied working for residents more than Bilal Beasley and now there is this building named in his honor that will provide a place to bring people together,” Prosecutor Ted Stephens said. “There is no one more deserving of this honor than Bilal Beasley,” Sheriff Armando Fontoura said.
The new community center is located on the Lyons Avenue side of the park adjacent to the tennis courts. The 13,000 square feet of space in the new building is almost twice as much as the old brown brick and cinder block community center next to the playground. The centerpiece of the building is a 3,350-square-foot room with a capacity of 300 people. There is also a classroom, police substation, a conference room, office space for groups and organizations that utilize the park and a large kitchen area. The building has restrooms that are accessible for those inside the building as well as separate restrooms for those outside of the building.
A driveway and parking lot are in front of the building. There is a covered entranceway so visitors can be dropped off without experiencing the elements. The parking lot has handicap parking and spaces for about 60 vehicles. A feature in the back of the building is a 1,240-square-foot covered patio area that provides views of the park and additional space for outdoor gatherings.
The original community center was named in 2015 in honor of Beasley, who served as a member of the Essex County Board Chosen Freeholders (now named as the Board of County Commissioners) and the Irvington Town Council.
The new D. Bilal Beasley Community Center is designed similarly to recent community center projects completed in Essex County Cedar Grove Park, Essex County Watsessing Park in Bloomfield, Essex County Weequahic Park, Essex County West Side Park, the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center in Essex County Branch Brook Park and the Sheriff Armando and Mary Fontoura Community Center in Essex County Independence Park in Newark and the Wally Choice Community Center in Essex County Glenfield Park in Montclair. A new community center also is being planned for Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park.
DiCara Rubino Architects from Wayne received a professional services contract for $475,000 to design the community center. A publicly bid contract for $10,537,000 was awarded to Aps Contracting Inc. from Paterson to construct the building. The Essex County Department of Public Works monitored the project to ensure delays were avoided. The building was funded with a grant from the State of New Jersey.
Revitalizing Essex County Irvington Park
In 2018, the tennis courts were resurfaced. In 2017, the basketball courts and walking track were updated and lighting along the walking paths was installed. In 2016, the field house was renovated and renamed as the D. Bilal Beasley Community Center, in memory of the late Freeholder and Irvington Councilman. In 2011, a synthetic grass surface soccer field was installed and three entrances to the park were upgraded. In 2006, a two-story, 2,100-square-foot addition was constructed onto the community center to create more space for the public to meet, storage space and public restrooms. In 2004, the tennis courts, walking track, basketball courts, tennis courts, softball fields and three park entrances were upgraded. In 2003, a rubberized safety surface was installed in the Irvington Park playground and lighting was improved. Essex County has partnered with the Irvington Park Conservancy to obtain funding from the New Jersey Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.
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, five off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Irvington Park is 24.38 acres and is the 12th largest park in the Essex County system. Land for the park was purchased in 1906 and improvements to the site were completed in 1913.