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Council reviews final concept design for Tom Oliveri Park; city says grants will cover costs
Summary
Hoboken officials presented a final concept design for the 5,000-square-foot Tom Oliveri Park pocket park, emphasizing inclusive play features and grant funding that planners say will avoid new costs to city taxpayers.
The City of Hoboken presented a final concept design for Tom Oliveri Park during a public hearing at the city council meeting, outlining an accessible playground, a redesigned splash/spray pad and preservation of existing tree canopy. The park, located on Willow Avenue at Thirteenth Street, was renamed in 2019 to honor tenant-rights advocate Tom Oliveri.
Director Gonzalez presented the design and said the plan reflects input from more than 400 residents gathered through surveys and public meetings. The design includes two connected play structures with an accessible safety surface, a redesigned water spray area, preserved murals to be restored and integrated, planting beds to protect mature trees and new site furnishings. Gonzalez said the design’s color palette was chosen to “pay tribute to the Puerto Rican heritage” of the neighborhood and that the safety surface will reference the park’s familiar “Froggy” theme.
During the hearing, Council President Zano and council members asked practical questions about the schedule and accessibility. Gonzalez said the project would move into final design, with bidding anticipated toward the beginning of 2026 and construction expected to take roughly one year once bids are awarded. She confirmed the splash pad and playground surfaces are designed to be fully accessible and that the fence will be pushed to the property line. Gonzalez also said a Portland Loo restroom is planned for the site and will be locked at night per the funding requirements.
Resident and Sixth Ward Councilmember Manuel Rivera Soler pressed officials on the security of grants and on operations and maintenance. Gonzalez said the project is “entirely grant funded,” identifying a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres grant and a Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund contribution. She characterized those state and county grants as among the “most secure” funding sources the city receives, and said ongoing maintenance costs would be handled through the city’s existing operating budget (the grants do not fund maintenance in perpetuity).
Gonzalez said additional public input steps — including planning board review and engineering — have already occurred and that the design incorporates public comments received at a June public meeting and subsequent online surveys. Council members asked for a public link to the materials; Gonzalez said she would circulate the presentation link the following day.
The hearing closed without a formal vote on any ordinance at the meeting; design approval and funding steps will continue through the city’s design, permitting and bid process.
The council and staff said they will return to the council with procurement and construction timetables as the project moves into final design and bidding.
