Jose Gonzalez is a lifelong resident of West New York who works at a pet shop in Hoboken. He recently walked to his city’s waterfront to enjoy the two adjoining parks – Veterans Park and Donnelly Park, which are next to each other on Boulevard East from 53rd street to 60th Street. They offer a panoramic view of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline.
Tuesday afternoon, he said he enjoys spending time in the park because it is a relaxing place to get away from daily stress.
“From my experience, nobody really bothers you here,” he said.
Gonzalez would like to see minor work done on the walkways, more lighting at night, and garbage cans by the outer railing so people would stop throwing garbage over it. He also mentioned that more people are using the old basketball court to play soccer, so the park could use a new basketball court.
The two waterfront parks were filled with people during last week’s sunny summer days. Veterans Park, the more southern of the two parks, has several monuments dating back to the early 1900s to observe both war veterans and Cuban historians. (A high percentage of West New York residents are Cuban).
Donnelly Park has a playground for kids in addition to many shade trees.
Danny Mahoney of West New York was relaxing in Donnelly Park on Tuesday. He said that during the morning and afternoon, town workers from the Parks Department come with snacks for kids to eat around the playground.
A place to relax
Steven Jeanty and Jonathan Gardanz, are Memorial High School students entering their senior year. Both young men agree the park is a great place to find good shade, but most importantly, a place to relax and think about life.
Jeanty is originally from Haiti and has lived in West New York for 11 years. He enjoys his time at the parks but wishes the basketball courts, which were taken down for park renovation, would be returned, since recreation is a big part of his summer aside from working a summer job.
“We just need more recreation areas for teenagers and young adults to play,” he said.
Gardans, a lifelong resident of West New York, said the Latin Grammy celebration held on Boulevard East each year is one of the events he enjoys at the park.
Armando Martinez just recently moved to the Bronx, N.Y. after living in West New York, but he was back on Tuesday enjoying the park.
“I like it more here because it is really relaxing and I really love this park,” he said. “This community is culturally diverse and I really enjoy the festivities around here. I think this is the best place to watch fire works during Fourth of July, but this year I did not catch it.”
Martinez would like to see the fencing fixed in the damaged areas of the park.
Joe is a Union City resident who comes to the West New York waterfront to meet up with friends and relax. He said, “When summer comes around this is the place to be. This park is great the way it is. The benches face New York. The shade from the trees [is great].”
He mentioned that he wishes the public park had a bathroom and better water fountains for drinking. Joe also mentioned that during Fourth of July celebrations people complained that the branches obstructing the New York view should be cut.
Shenoy is lifelong resident of West New York who retired six months ago. He has seen first-hand the renovations at the park. He also enjoys the Farmers Markets held in the park (see related story inside).
Future of the park
West New York Mayor Felix Roque said last week that he would like the town to spend more money on the waterfront parks, as long as the money exists in the next municipal budget.
“We have a forensic accountant looking at the deficit and hopefully within two weeks we will know what the real numbers are,” he said. “We do have the county who has money for Green Acres [state park funding], which we have access to. The [goal] is to rehabilitate the parks because they need improvement. My goal is to invest in the kids because they are the future, so instead of hanging around in gangs, we have them in parks.”
According to Commissioner of Public Affairs Fior D’Aliza Frias, local kids can sign up for summer recreation programs including cooking classes, self defense, and field trips.
In related park news, the town just announced that every Friday, they will host movies in the Park at 6:30 p.m. in Patricia Mc Eldowney Field on 61st Street on Boulevard East.
Santo Sanabria may be reached at SSanabria@hudsonreporter.com.