Residents of North Bergen and Guttenberg enjoyed music, barbecue food, and face painting last Saturday at a ceremony to kick off the season at the waterfront park on the border between the two towns.
The park is not new, but was recently cleaned up by Guttenberg’s Department of Public Works and sidewalks were added.
Guttenberg Mayor Gerald Drasheff said last weekend, “The park was a quarter of what it is today. This is the only park in Hudson County jointly operated by two towns.”
North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco said, “Our towns are very close. We share libraries, high schools, and now parks.”
West New York resident Sabina, 5, had her face painted while her father Aleksander watched.
“We came out, because it was a beautiful day, and it’s a beautiful park,” Aleksander said.
“The parks are cleaner, and there are nice things to do with the kids.” — Vanessa Rojas.
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During this time of day, Ping Ping said, her children are usually having their naptime. “But we heard this was going on, and we’d have a good time.” She said she’s lived in Port Imperial for six years. Her two children, 4 years old and 2 months old, and her mother came with her.
West New York resident Julie Kuck came to the opening by the free shuttle service from Park Avenue provided by the town. Her daughter Virginia came with her from Guttenberg.
“I came out today, because I enjoy doing something like this once in a while,” Kuck said, “It’s free to the public, it’s not elaborate, and it’s not far with public transportation.”
The park was owned privately by developers who eventually sold the site to the towns.
Mayor Sacco said, “This is probably the best view of any park I’ve ever seen.”