New Playground Opens at Verona Park
VERONA, NJ – The long awaited renovation of the plaground at Verona Park was completed and unveiled last week by Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. The improvements are part of the County Executive’s ongoing initiative to revitalize the historic Essex County Parks System and ensure parks facilities continue to meet the needs of the community.
“An ongoing priority of my administration has been to provide the most up-to-date recreation facilities throughout our historic Parks System. This ensures our children, families and residents have modern and safe places to play and relax, and our open spaces continue to provide opportunities for exercise and respite as well as contribute to our residents’ quality of life,” DiVincenzo said.
During the revovation, the existing equipment ws removed and new equipment and rubberized surfaces were installed. According ot the county, the playground was redesigned to ncorporate the topography of the land in the play area. Slides and other features have been built into hills so children do not have to climb ladders to reach the top of the slide; they just walk to the top of the hill. A large climbing structure was installed in the center of the play area and apparatus for children ages 2-5 and 5-12. The last updated to the playground was in 2003 when a rubberized safety surface was first installed. The equipment needed to be replaced, having become worn and outdated from the amount of use the playground receives, the county said.
“Our County Executive never really stops working and he should be complimented for his passion. Just look around at all he has done throughout the Parks System, including right here in Verona Park,” Freeholder President Brendan Gill said. “I am happy to know that we are providing recreation facilities that are the most up-to-date and safest,” Freeholder Len Luciano said.
“Thank you for putting this magnificent new facility in Verona Park. It’s just been opened and already it’s being heavily used,” said Verona Mayor Kevin Ryan, who was accompanied by Councilmen Ted Giblin and Jack McEvoy and Business Administrator Matthew Cavallo.
Arterial Design Studio from Montclair received a $49,500 contract to redesign the playground. APS Contractors from Paterson was awarded a publicly bid contract for $1,384,505 to perform the construction work. The Essex County Department of Public Works monitored the project. The improvements were funded with grants from the NJ Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund. Work started in September 2017.
TAPinto Verona/Cedar Grove is an online newspaper serving the Townships of Verona and Cedar Grove. TAPinto Verona/Cedar Grove is accredited by the New Jersey Press Association, and is a locally owned news organization serving the community.
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