Rev. Dr. Ercel Webb never lived to see the re-opening of what used to be known as Lafayette Park on Lafayette Street in Jersey City.
But Webb’s memory lives on thanks to a July 10 re-opening of the park in his name.
The park was where the late Rev. Webb spent many times with members of his congregation cleaning up trash, counteracting the messes left by drug dealers and gangs.
But now it is a refurbished landscape with new playground equipment, a brand new gazebo, and new lights.
Webb’s memory was alive on that Saturday morning with hundreds of people – family, friends, parishioners and admirers – coming out to celebrate his legacy and to enjoy a brand new haven in the urban milieu to be enjoyed by the public.The namesake
The late Rev. Dr. Ercel F. Webb was the head pastor of the Monumental Baptist Church from 1944 to 1986. Webb was known as a servant of the community as he led efforts to get low-income housing built in the Lafayette section of the city, as shelter for many whom had attended his church and were part of his neighborhood. He also led food and clothing drives, and created bank accounts for children who grew near his church.
In 1995, Webb’s lifetime of service was recognized by the city when then Councilman (now Acting Mayor) L. Harvey Smith sponsored an ordinance to rename the park across the street from the church.
Lafayette Park was built in 1902 through the efforts of Archibald Campbell, a local real estate developer who saw the need for a park in the Lafayette section since there were so few public parks in the city.
The park served as a centerpiece in the city for many years but as time passed, it was neglected.
“Reverend Webb used to say constantly, ‘Use it or lose it’. Meaning you use the park and take care of what you have, or don’t take care of it and soon there would be no park,” said Rev. Joseph L. Jones, currently senior pastor of the Monumental Baptist Church.
When the park was renamed for Webb, there was the hope that there would be a ceremony within a year to re-open the park in his name with all the improvements.
But under the administration of former mayor Bret Schundler, the funds needed to renovate the park were constantly diverted from the project. And in the meantime, Webb passed away in 1996.
Ready to open
In 2001, after the late Glenn D. Cunningham was elected mayor of Jersey City, he met the newly formed Communipaw Avenue Block Association and area residents to work on finally renovating the park.
After two years of planning and a year of construction, the park had its reopening on July 10 after a ceremony in the Monumental Baptist Church.
Among the speakers was acting Mayor L. Harvey Smith, who has been a member of the church since 1981. Smith spoke about the man whom he considered a mentor.
“This is the day I have waiting for a long time…to dedicate this park to someone who I thought was the greatest man I ever knew,” said Smith.
Betty Outlaw, the director of the city’s Public Works Department, said the basketball court and swimming pool that were to be built were left out due to a lack of funds.
But Smith said that he would find a way to commit the $60,000 needed for the basketball court.
Webb’s daughter
Natalie Webb, the late Webb’s daughter, spoke of the man who taught her the meaning of fairness and compassion for others, and how his teachings spread out through his community.
After the ceremony in the church, the attendees then went outside to the park for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Remarks during the ceremony were delivered by a number of speakers including Webb’s widow, Delorice G. Webb.
“This park expresses his essence,” she said later. “He was all about giving.”
Rosalyn Browne, president of the Communipaw Avenue Block Association, gave credit to Mayor Glenn Cunningham for his assistance when he was alive.
Where’s Cunningham’s name?
Browne also said that she was hurt by what looked to her as an insensitive gesture on the part of acting Mayor Smith.
“The plaque for the park had Cunningham’s name, and still did when I was in the park the day before the ceremony,” said Browne, “but the morning of the ceremony, someone noticed that Cunningham’s name was removed from the plaque and Smith’s name was put there instead.”
Acting Mayor Smith said that it was upholding what was once common practice to put the current mayor’s name on the plaque. He also said that he regretted if the action hurt anyone’s feelings, but also said that was the first time he heard that complaint.
The park renovation is estimated at a cost of $1.7M. The park will be opened from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, and when closed will be patrolled by foot through most of the evening.
Also, there will be closed-circuit security cameras that will be installed in the park within the next couple of months.