HOBOKEN – Public meetings will soon be held to solicit community feedback on the design of two uptown parks where ground was broken earlier this week.
According to a city press release, “The residents of Hoboken deserve more parks and recreation space,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “Starting more than a decade ago, concerned residents fought to preserve this area for open space, and thanks to their efforts, we will soon have these two new parks which will add an additional four acres of open space for our community.”
The projects were stalled for years, and it almost cost the city in the form of grant money. Since the city acted on the projects before the end of 2009, the grant money was not lost.
Currently, the finishing stages of an environmental cleanup are taking place at 1600 Park. An environmental cleanup has also been contracted out for Hoboken Cove.
In an August interview, Brandy Forbes, the director of the Department of Community Development, said she was not sure what specifically caused the need for an environmental cleanup at 1600 Park.
“With so many of the properties there, it could have been something from 100 years ago,” Forbes said. “But with the grant, it brings the area to a [safety] level so that we can use it.”
According to a city press release, once a design firm has been selected, multiple public meetings will be held in the fall to solicit community input on the designs for both parks.
“I look forward to working with the community to develop plans for this much-needed park space,” Zimmer said.
The planning process is scheduled to last through the fall and winter, and a bid for a construction firm is planned for early spring. – Ray Smith