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Residents press council over Palaski Park mini-soccer pitch; city manager says donation can be relocated
Summary
Multiple residents urged the council to reconsider a donated, enclosed mini-soccer pitch planned for Palaski Park citing lack of restrooms, parking, drainage and deteriorated playground equipment; the city manager said the pitch was donated at no cost and staff will evaluate moving it and address drainage and playground repairs.
Residents voiced strong concerns at the May 26 Hackensack City Council meeting about a proposed “mini soccer pitch” slated for Palaski Park, saying the park’s playground equipment is rusted, benches and garbage cans are in disrepair, there are no restrooms, and additional programmed activity would worsen parking and safety issues.
Several residents — including Bill White and Fred Casserta — described longstanding deterioration at Palaski Park and opposed placing the enclosed soccer unit where it would remove or interfere with existing play areas. White said the park’s basketball courts and playground need repair and asked the city to consult neighbors before accepting new amenities. Casserta raised drainage and student ingress/egress concerns for nearby school children.
The city manager responded that the unit was donated at no cost through an arrangement involving Hackensack University Medical Center and Musco Lighting, and that staff had identified an east-side location originally proposed but could consider moving it to the west side of the blacktop to reduce impacts on adjacent houses. The manager said project management would assess leveling and drainage needs and that engineering would review the site before installation.
Council members said they value community input and that no final decision has been made; they asked staff to do further outreach and to pursue grant-funded playground upgrades at Palaski. The manager also said the city has applied for or will seek grants to address playground and park deficiencies.
Next steps: staff to evaluate relocating the donated pitch within Palaski Park, address drainage and playground deficiencies, and return with proposals and community outreach before installation.
