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Essex County holds DEP public hearings for Irvington and Weequahic parks Green Acres applications
Summary
County parks director Joshua Zates presented two Green Acres/Urban Parks grant applications — a $2.55 million plan for Irvington Park and a $2.05 million plan for Weequahic (Weekwake) Park — describing proposed turf, lighting, bleacher and court improvements and environmental mitigation.
Essex County Parks staff held the public hearings required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on Jan. 6 before the Board of County Commissioners for two Green Acres and Urban Parks grant applications.
Joshua Zates of the county parks division presented conceptual plans and cost estimates: Irvington Park (Grove Street and Lyons Avenue) would receive synthetic infields for two softball diamonds, upgraded lighting and bleachers and related site work; the county engineer estimated total project cost at $2,552,190. Weekwake (Weequahic) Park (Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue) would include replacement of basketball courts, upgrades to football/soccer/track facilities and related safety and site improvements; estimated cost: $2,045,620.
Zates said both projects are eligible for full funding under the DEP Green Acres and Urban Parks rules because they are located in urban aid municipalities and areas identified as overburdened or stressed by the DEP mapping tools. He said the county has prepared environmental impact assessments and will comply with required permits and with standard mitigation measures (soil erosion controls, fencing during construction, landscaping and replanting). Zates noted the projects are designed to maximize active recreation while minimizing vegetation clearing.
Commissioners asked whether local user groups had been notified; Zates said parks staff had reached out to community organizations and would continue stakeholder coordination. No public commenters spoke during the hearings. The board later authorized the county to submit the grant applications; the resolutions to apply were included in a set of Parks and Recreation resolutions that passed by roll call.
