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Essex County backs parks grants and clarifies Weekwick Park upgrades amid community concerns
Summary
Commissioners approved multiple parks contracts and state grants, clarified that Weekwick Park's baseball field is an upgrade rather than a new facility, and agreed to repairs and communication steps on walking track and rink management.
The Essex County Board approved a series of parks contracts and state grant acceptances Wednesday and addressed community concerns about Weekwick Park, including a planned upgrade to a varsity baseball field and repairs to a walking track.
Joshua Zeitz (County Parks) described a slate of items the board approved or authorized: rental portable light towers ($126,660) for events; a Department of Community Affairs grant application for Branch Brook Park pedestrian safety improvements ($1,375,000); a Riverbank Park playground safety grant ($400,000); and authorization to use the Recreation Open Space Trust Fund for salaries and capital projects (release and acceptance totaling $7,424,906). The Turtle Back Zoo will receive funding for flooring improvements ($97,339) and animal food contracts were awarded for the zoo's species needs.
Zeitz also detailed smaller, community‑oriented contracts, including a negotiated agreement for deer butchering services tied to the county deer management program ($20,000) that has donated more than 61,000 pounds of venison to food banks since 2008.
Several commissioners raised questions after recent public concern about Weekwick Park. Mister Jackson and parks staff said the contested baseball diamond is not new construction but an upgrade of an existing infield to meet county standards, with artificial turf infield and resodded outfield; they said the board had received a letter of support from the high school's principal. Parks staff acknowledged track sections installed in cooler weather are being reworked in spring and said they would repair sections that were problematic when temperatures allow better adhesion.
Commissioners also discussed permitting and use by out‑of‑county teams. Zeitz said the permit evaluation considers locality, historical use and nonprofit status rather than being strictly first‑come, first‑served. He said the parks department will present a 2026 rate package showing different line items for county residents, out‑of‑county users and non‑profit groups.
What it means: Residents who raised permit and field concerns received clarifications about the scope of planned work and the county’s permit prioritization. The grants and trust fund authorization provide money for pedestrian safety and other capital work expected to begin after funding is certified and designs are completed.
The board approved the parks slate by roll call; staff said they will post signage and communications where work may temporarily affect public use.
