The trees in Weigand Park on the corner of 54th Street and Park Avenue have large orange Xs spray-painted on them, indicating that a chainsaw is in their immediate future – they are marked for removal as part of the rebuilding of the park.
According to town sources, the Weigand Park refurbishing project, slated for completion in the springtime, is the final piece of a vision that West New York Mayor Albio Sires had when he was elected mayor in 1995.
Sires was proud to announce last week that the Weigand Park refurbishment was the final park project in what has been an eight-year commitment to rebuilding every single park in the town.
Sires said last week, “When my administration took office eight years ago, we promised to rebuild every park and playground in town. Today, with the beginning of the work on Weigand Park, I am proud to report that we have fulfilled our promise to the people of West New York.”
The construction contractor on the project is the River Edge-based Let it Grow, Inc., and the project is being overseen by Production Manager Tony Hodum and Site Supervisor Jeff Mitchell.
The Union City-based Ana Galvan Architectural Firm did the park designs, as it does most smaller scale construction projects in Union City and West New York.
According to town officials, the project will involve demolishing the present park, save for a few trees. The park will include new playground areas, including a separate swing area and a decorative water fountain, complete with water-spouting urns. Also included in the design are a spray pool for younger children, new landscaping, fencing, lighting and decorative brick walkways.
Weigand Park, as Sires was eager to point out, abuts the Number 2 school, and the students will be able to use the park as their primary recreation area. The school, for a number of years, has had temporary trailers serving as classrooms. Sires said last week that these trailers will be removed and the front of the school will be extended as a permanent classroom structure. “This,” said Sires, “will hopefully coincide with the construction of the park.”
According to Sires, the project will be paid for with a mixture of county, state and municipal money and be completed sometime this spring. “Of course,” said Sires, “that date depends on what kind of winter we have. If it’s anything like last winter, the project could take a little longer.”
Last week’s groundbreaking ceremony included all of West New York’s commissioners, with the exception of Commissioner Erecides Aquavivas. According to town officials, Aquavivas was away on business.
As the blades of the specially painted gold shovels pierced the dirt, Sires said proudly, “This is the last of the park renovations in town. We have done the Miller Stadium Park, Washington Park, the Little League field, Memorial Field. And we are currently rebuilding St. Mary’s Park [at 66th and Jackson streets].”
As for that park, Sires said, “St. Mary’s Park is in the middle of a neighborhood that is packed with schools. I think that the younger kids will really get a lot of enjoyment out of the parks.
Added Sires, “As someone who grew up here in West New York, I appreciate how important our parks and playgrounds are. That’s why we made a commitment to rebuild each and every park and playground in the town, so that our children have safe places to play and so that we can all enjoy as much open space as possible. We have 7,000 kids in this school district – we’re crowded. People need to feel that they have a place to go. Making these parks nice for the people will help.”
Sires also mentioned that in the near future, there will be “two or three new parks on the waterfront.” He wouldn’t give any more details, but it is evident that the waterfront remains the nexus of West New York’s development plans.
West New York Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Sal Vega also alluded to the waterfront when he said, “We take a lot of pride that parks have been a major point of this administration. We look forward to the future to having people enjoy the walkway on the waterfront. The mayor also has plans for some piers on the waterfront.”
Commissioner of Revenue and Finance Gerald Lange said, “I am very proud to be part of this team. The mayor has fulfilled his promise to the community.”