13 Dec ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO OPENS DOG PARK IN ESSEX COUNTY VAILSBURG PARK Renovation of Playground Restroom Building Continues
Published on December 13, 2023
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. officially dedicated a new dog park in Essex County Vailsburg Park in Newark on Wednesday, December 13th. The dog park is the sixth in the Essex County Parks System. Work to modernize the restroom building next to the playground is continuing. The improvements are part of the County Executive’s ongoing initiative to revitalize the Essex County Parks System and update facilities to meet the changing needs of the community.
“Members of the community came to us with the request to include a dog park and renovate the playground restroom building in Vailsburg Park. The development of the dog park transforms an underutilized section of the park into a vibrant location where community members and their canine pets can gather and socialize. And the modernization of the restroom building will make it more convenient for parents and their young children to enjoy the playground,” DiVincenzo said. “This is an example of how we are continually looking at opportunities to expand our recreation facilities and adapt our parks to meet the needs of our residents,” he said.
“Every time we open a new project that puts families and the community first, it is a great day,” Commissioner Tyshammie Cooper said.
“This is what it looks like when the county, city and community work together. I salute the County Executive for getting this project completed and Ms. McElveen for her activism. This is a beautiful addition in the park where I grew up,” said Newark Councilman Dupre Kelly.
“Our residents have been very excited about the dog park opening. We are definitely going to enjoy this. We appreciate the work being done in the park by the County,” said Pam McElveen, President of the Palm Street Block Association.
The dog park is located in the western section of the park. It is about 24,000 square feet in size and has separate fenced-in areas for small and large dogs. The large dog area is about 13,000 square feet and the small dog area is about 11,000 square feet. The dog park has a gated decorative entrance, agility apparatus and water fountains designed for dogs, benches, garbage cans and an information kiosk. Landscaping in the area was enhanced, trees were pruned, and new pathways, sidewalks and curbing were installed in the area.
The renovation of the existing restroom building adjacent to the children’s playground is ongoing. The facility will receive modern fixtures, asbestos and lead paint will be safely removed from the building; new flooring, ceiling, partitions and lighting will be installed; and plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems will be updated. Outside of the building, landscaping will be enhanced, the roof will be replaced, exterior lighting will be improved and ornamental trash receptacle, drinking fountains and benches will be installed. Walkways, pathways, curbing and other masonry items will be repaired. It is anticipated to be completed by the end of the month.
The Vailsburg Dog Park is the sixth in the Essex County Parks System. The Watsessing Dog Park in Bloomfield/East Orange opened in 2005. The South Mountain Dog Park in Maplewood/Millburn opened in 2006. The Brookdale Dog Park in Bloomfield/Montclair opened in 2007. The Hilltop Dog Park in North Caldwell opened in 2018. The Branch Brook Dog Park in Newark Opened in 2019.
French and Parrello from Wall was awarded a professional services contract for $124,500 to design the improvements. Zenith Construction Services from Orange was awarded a publicly bid contract for $1,994,950 to perform the construction work. The Essex County Department of Public Works is monitoring the project to ensure delays are avoided. It is being funded through the Essex County Capital Budget and with a grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund. The restroom building is anticipated to be open later this winter.
Revitalizing Essex County Vailsburg Park
The Ronald L. Rice Sports Complex was dedicated in 2022 and completed in 2023. It includes new football, baseball and softball fields with synthetic grass playing surfaces and a rubberized running track. The playground was modernized with new equipment and a rubberized safety surface and the restroom building by the basketball courts was renovated in 2019. The senior building received a comprehensive facelift in 2016. The six Little League baseball fields were upgraded and a synthetic grass surface was installed on one field near South Munn Avenue and Plymouth Street in 2007. In addition, decorative lighting was installed, park entrances were enhanced, ornamental fencing was installed around the park’s perimeter, and tree maintenance was performed. Earlier in 2003, new equipment and a rubberized safety surface were installed in the playground.
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. Vailsburg Park is 30.32 acres and is the 10th largest park within the Essex County Park System. Land for the park was purchased in 1917 and major design improvements were completed in the 1920s.