FOR
RELEASE
Puglisi
October
2013
73-621-2542
Contact:
IMMEDIATE
Anthony
29,
9
Lauren Shears
973-621-1590
ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES
INSTALLATION
OF NEW SYNTHETIC GRASS SURFACE SOCCER FIELD
IN ESSEX COUNTY INDEPENDENCE PARK
Playing Surface is Upgraded because of Normal Wear and
Tear;
Soccer Field in Essex County Riverbank Park also to be
Replaced
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo,
Jr. announced on Tuesday, October 29th that a new synthetic
grass surface was installed on the soccer field in Essex County
Independence Park. The original synthetic surface was installed
in 2005, and provided local youth, high school and community
soccer programs access to a state-of-the-art athletic facility.
There has been wear and tear on the field because of the many
groups that play there.
“Early in my administration, we made the decision to install
synthetic grass surfaces on some of our fields that are heavily
used by youth, school and public recreation groups. The
synthetic surface has enabled us to provide first-class playing
conditions and maximize the use of the fields so more groups
have access,” DiVincenzo said. “Soccer is a very popular sport,
especially in the Ironbound, and we wanted to ensure the field is
safe for all the groups that play here,” he added.
The upgrades were enthusiastically received by local elected
officials and community members.
“Independence Park is in the middle of a thriving community and
it is like the backyard for residents. Restoring this field and
ensuring it remains viable for years to come is indispensable,”
NJ State Senator and Essex County Deputy Chief of Staff
Teresa Ruiz said.
“I take a lot of pride in Independence Park and it’s a place my
family looks forward to visiting. We definitely need more open
spaces like this in the Ironbound and I thank Joe DiVincenzo for
investing in our recreation facilities,” Eliana Pintor Marin,
member of the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board, said.
“The Ironbound is densely developed and needs good open
spaces. I’m proud because these field improvements create
open spaces our residents can enjoy and help provide recreation
opportunities. I want to thank the County Executive for making
sure we have the most modern facilities,” Freeholder Vice
President Patricia Sebold said.
“Joe does this because he cares. The community appreciates
the efforts you are making on behalf of our children to improve
parks and recreation facilities,” Newark Councilman Augusto
Amador said.
“This is fantastic. Getting this field resurfaces will enable our
players to enjoy the game of soccer at the highest level. And with
better facilities comes greater player development and that leads
to more championships,” John Soares, Director of Operations for
the Ironbound Soccer Club, said, noting that a team from
Ironbound Soccer won a State Cup and two other teams were
finalists.
In general, synthetic grass surface fields last about seven years
before they need to be replaced. The synthetic surface on the
Independence Park soccer field as installed in 2005. In addition,
the Executive also announced the synthetic grass surface on the
Essex County Riverbank Park soccer field, which was installed in
2003, would be replaced after the work at Independence Park
was finished. Some drainage improvements and tree pruning
work will also be done at Independence and Riverbank as part of
these improvements.
The field improvements were designed in-house by the Essex
County Department of Public Works, which also worked with the
contractors to answer questions and ensure delays were
avoided. Landtek from Amityville, N.Y., was awarded a $707,600
competitively bid contract to replace the synthetic grass surface
on the soccer fields in Essex County Independence Park and
Essex County Riverbank Park. The upgrades are being funded
with a grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space
Trust Fund. Improvements to both fields are scheduled to be
completed by the end of 2013.
Revitalizing Essex County Independence Park
In 2011, a synthetic grass surface playing surface was installed
on the baseball/softball field and a nearby field house was
renovated as part of a $754,960 project. In 2010, the Senior
Building received a comprehensive renovation as part of
$341,700 project. In 2007, a former roller hockey court was
transformed into a practice soccer field with a synthetic grass
surface as part of a $245,000 project. In 2005, a synthetic grass
surface was installed on the soccer field and the playground was
upgraded with modern equipment and a rubberized safety
surface as part of a $759,270 facelift. Essex County has worked
cooperatively with the Down Neck Sports Community Group to
receive grant funding from the NJ Green Acres program and the
Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund to fund
improvements to Independence Park.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the
first county park system established in the United States. The
Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 22
parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop
Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three
public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf
courses, three off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby
Memorial Iris Gardens. At 12.69 acres, Independence Park is the
fifth smallest park in the historic Essex County Park System.
Land for Independence Park was acquired in 1895.
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