Little more than three years ago, the Weehawken Waterfront Park and Recreation Facility opened after over 15 years of planning and development. Last week, the township received an award from one of Hudson County’s premiere non-profit conservancy organizations, the Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy (HRWC), for their work to preserve the 10-acre park for public use.
“The park is a spectacular place from many different points of view,” said vice president of HRWC Donald Stitzenberg. “From our narrow point of view it adds a wonderful section of riverfront walkway right along the river. But, more broadly, it offers first-class facilities for all ages, like little league fields, tennis courts, putting greens.”
The HRWC oversees use of waterfront property along the Hudson River from Fort Lee to Bayonne, much of which the organization says is protected by law. “Our nation’s laws are based on the Magna Carta, under which the rivers and shores were held by the monarchy to serve the needs of the general public and the common good,” the organization said on their website. “In other words, everyone has the right to go to the river.”
“There’s nothing else along the waterfront quite like it.” – Donald Stitzenberg
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“The conservancy recognized the tremendous amenity that the park is to the walkway,” said Mayor Richard Turner.
The Hudson River Walkway was first discussed back in 1978 when Governor Brendan Byrne empanelled The Hudson River Waterfront Study, Planning and Development Commission. In March of 1980, the panel recommended a 30-foot wide walkway from the George Washington Bridge to the tip of Bayonne that is able to accommodate bikers, walkers, and joggers.
According to Mayor Richard Turner, Weehawken’s portion of the county-wide riverfront walkway is 90 per cent complete and will be completely finished by the end of next year. “Weehawken was one of the first communities to adopt the regulations that require developers to build the walkway and to leave open space along the waterfront.”
Phase II
The second phase of the Weehawken Waterfront Park – to be completed by the end of next year – will add an additional five acres to the facility and feature a boat launch, swimming pool, and ice-skating rink. “There’s nothing else along the waterfront quite like it,” Stitzenberg said.
HRWC also acknowledged Roseland Properties chairman Carl Goldman for his work with the township to finance the park at no cost to taxpayers.
“The cooperation between Mr. Goldberg and the township of Weehawken is admirable,” Stitzenberg said. “While, I’m sure it wasn’t easy to achieve, they did in fact reach an agreement to build the park, which is not very common between private developers and township governments nowadays.”
Moving on up
In addition to the accolades, the newly-promoted Sergeant Ignazio Mitolo was officially sworn in by the mayor and township council. The longtime officer was promoted from detective to sergeant after several superior officers recently retired.
“We can’t fill every vacancy in a very tight economic time,” Turner said. “But we have to fill some and we couldn’t ask for a more qualified person for the job than Sergeant Mitolo.” According to the mayor, six superior officers have recently retired.
After being recommended by Public Safety Director Jeff Welz to Township Manager Jim Marchetti, Mitolo was officially promoted to sergeant by the township council. “We were more than please to go forward,” the mayor said.
With the township employee pay freeze still in effect, Mitolo agreed to waive his pay increase for at least 12, but up to, 18 months. “He’s a great individual and hard-working police officer.”
Sean Allocca can be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com