17 Jul ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES THE ALBERT E. PELHAM SPORTS COMPLEX IN ESSEX COUNTY GLENFIELD PARK Naming Recognizes Community Contributions of Popular Local Activist
Published on July 17, 2023
Montclair, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated the Albert E. Pelham Sports Complex in Essex County Glenfield Park in Montclair on Friday, July 14th. Mr. Pelham, who passed away in 2021, was the Executive Director of the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation, President of the Montclair Chapter of the NAACP and Co-Chair of the Montclair African American Heritage Foundation.
“Al Pelham was a strong proponent of programs that aided families in need, benefited the development of children and fostered fairness, equity and justice. Al loved Glenfield Park and could be found there almost everyday meeting with senior citizens, cheering on young athletes in recreation programs or hosting gatherings to bring the community together,” DiVincenzo said. “Naming the sports complex in his honor will keep his legacy alive and hopefully encourage others to follow in his large footsteps,” he added.
“On behalf of our family, we are proud, honored and appreciative of this honor because my father was a man who meant so much to the community. Today shows how much respect you had for him,” said Mr. Pelham’s daughter Rhonda Fischer.
“What makes Montclair such a special community are people like Mr. Pelham. It is fitting to recognize him in Glenfield Park and make sure his legacy is not forgotten,” Commissioner Brendan Gill said. “It is an honor to name the sports complex after a wonderful individual who gave so much to the community,” Commissioner Patricia Sebold said.
“Everyone likes to name things after famous people, but the dedication is much more special when a local person who makes a difference is being honored,” Prosecutor Ted Stephens said.
“Mr. Pelham was one of those individuals who was so impactful on all of our lives, who used their time with us to do good. He will live on through the work we do to carry on his legacy,” said Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, who was joined by Councilors David Cummings and Peter Yacobellis.
“Mr. Pelham was a tough man with a tender heart who cared about seniors and children. It is up to us to continue his legacy,” said Rev. Craig Dunn, who succeeded Mr. Pelham as Executive Director of the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corp.
“Al Pelham had a seat at every table of every organization in which he was involved and he invested himself into the fight for equality for people of color,” said Diane Anglin, First Vice President of the Montclair Branch of the NAACP.
“Al and I are friends from way back and he was a kind and dear person,” said Cheryl Thompson-Martin, Secretary of the Montclair African American Heritage Foundation.
The complex includes the new 10,000-square-foot Wally Choice Community Center and practice football field, two tennis courts, two basketball courts that are part of the Bobby Hurt Basketball Courts and the Terry Demming Little League Field.
A bronze plaque placed in the park begins with a quote by Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ” It continues with: “After a successful career with Prudential, Albert E. Pelham found his calling to help others and strengthen the community. He partnered with the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corp. to create Project Oasis, which used the game of basketball to provide positive opportunities for youth. He eventually became Executive Director of MNDC, overseeing the organization’s growth and administering programs that empowered clients, assisted the less fortunate, provided recreation and enrichment programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Pelham created a remote learning facility at the Essex County Wally Choice Community Center to provide a full day of classroom instruction to help prevent learning loss among Montclair students. Committed to his family and promoting strong values, he advocated for equality, fairness and justice through his involvement with the Montclair NAACP and African American Heritage Foundation and SPAN. Mr. Pelham often could be found in Essex County Glenfield Park, organizing basketball tournaments, cheering on young athletes and engaging with others. Naming the Essex County Glenfield Park Sports Complex in his honor is a fitting tribute for his longtime commitment to Essex County.”
Revitalizing Essex County Glenfield Park
In 2023, the new 10,000 square foot Wally Choice Community Center, practice football field with a synthetic grass playing surface and parking lot were opened. In 2022, the Little League/softball field was updated with a new synthetic grass playing surface and scoreboard. In 2017, the tennis courts and basketball courts, named for the late Bobby Hurt, were resurfaced and new equipment was installed. In 2015, the playground and restroom building received a facelift. In 2009, the football field and two softball diamonds were modernized with new irrigation and drainage systems and resurfaced with sod to improve playing conditions. Football and soccer goals were installed on the field. A synthetic grass surface was installed on the softball field in the eastern section of the park.
In 2006, a major facelift included rehabilitating the tennis and basketball courts, developing a new horseshoe pit, repairing the perimeter wrought iron fence, installing an eight-station exercise course, enhancing the aesthetics of the park entranceways, installing new picnic tables, repairing the community building and field house, and removing dead trees and branches. Essex County partnered with Montclair Grass Roots 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. Opened in 1910, Glenfield Park is about 20 acres. It is the 13th largest park in the Essex County Parks System.