Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus could double in size if the state Green Acres loan program agrees to supply Hudson County with the needed $62,500 for the purchase of 14 acres of adjacent meadows.
The land – owned by Jersey City but located in Secaucus – is situated at the southeastern side of the existing park in an area known locally as “Snake Hill.”
The property – largely dry land along the Hackensack River – would be converted to ballfields, similar to the design that exists in the current park. The county will also use the site for environmental restoration, passive trails and as a canoe docking station. The county will have to apply for grants for the construction of these amenities.
County Engineer Bob Jasek said the plan would include more permanent restroom facilities, and a possible utility building for maintenance.
“Otherwise, we’re just going to duplicate what is already there,” he said.
The land purchase would be contingent on a state loan and would become the southernmost link in a river walkway that is currently under construction along the whole Secaucus riverfront.
The new site is connected to the existing park by a strip of land that runs under the arches of the New Jersey Turnpike and along Snake Hill.
The site is currently used by off-road vehicles. The county is looking to get the money through the Green Acre Acquisition Program, which loans money to park and open space projects.
The land, according to County Parks Director Thomas McCann, would have access via Secaucus – along New County Road – and by the river through canoe and other boats. A boat launch already exists at the park.
“This would be a good place for bird-watching and other outdoor activities,” McCann said. “There are existing trails on the site.”
The county’s 1999 Master Plan for parks had hoped to increase the park size by 100 acres with the construction of paths and fields for little league and soccer, estimating the overall cost at $26 million. That cost pertains to overall plans for the next 10 years for 100 acres.
Last year, the county applied for $1.9 million from the Green Acres program to install soccer fields, tennis courts, and restroom facilities. That request was never awarded.
The current park features two combination softball/baseball fields, two soccer fields and a playground. The park also includes a 1,400-foot waterfront walkway with picnic areas, a scenic outlook and a gazebo with parking for more than 200 cars. It cost $2.4 million. The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission paid for the building of the first public boat launch in Hudson County and its associated ramps and parking area. The rest of the park was paid for by the state Green Acres, the federal government, the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Hudson County.
Earlier this year, Hudson County Schools of Technology Superintendent Frank J. Gargiulo asked the state Department of Education for preliminary approval to design a new campus on vacant county owned land in Secaucus next to the county park. The county owns 105 acres in area of Laurel Hill Park, the ownership dating back the 1800s when the county had most of its institution located there, including a jail, a tuberculosis hospital, a laundry and a mental institution.
Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell said he approved of the school. He said it would help anchor that part of the town and would benefit local kids, some of whom already use the county school in North Bergen.
No hope for pistol range
A proposed plan to install a pistol range in Laurel Hill Park was rejected by the county freeholders and Secaucus Mayor Elwell.
The freeholders said Mayor Elwell disapproved of the proposal. Elwell said the Meadowlands Pistol Club, which proposed the agreement through the Jersey City Police Department, was no in position to handle the entire county’s requirements.
“I didn’t like the idea of having a pistol range in a park and near where I school might be built,” Elwell said. The Meadowlands Club was closed earlier this year to make way for a park at Mill Point in the north end of Secaucus. The Jersey City Police Range currently located in the meadows near County Avenue in Jersey City will be closed to make way for a New Jersey Turnpike exit ramp to the Secaucus Rail Transfer Station.
Currently, the Jersey City Police Department in is negotiations with the Norfolk-Southern rail company for possible use of property in the Croxton rail yards.
“I don’t approve of that either,” Elwell said. “I think it would be located too close to New County Road.”
Elwell said there were locations elsewhere in Jersey City could be used.