Nicholas M. Guirado was a decorated police officer in Union City. For many years he walked the beat and served and protected the city’s residents. After responding to a call in November of 1974, Guirado was killed in the line of duty. The city mourned his loss, and in 2001 they recognized Guirado’s effort by renaming the small children’s park on the corner of 11th and West streets in his honor.
"He meant a lot to the police force and the city wanted to acknowledge his contributions," said Union City spokeswoman Gail Kaufman recently.
The park encompasses less than half a city block and has two playground areas for children to jump around and a passive recreation area for parents to sit and read a newspaper or book. A water sprinkler is activated in the summer, and children from Angel’s Learning Center directly across the street from the park use it during their lunch period.
Young Union City teenagers Irwin Wilton was with his buddies Wilmer Antonio Rivera and Luis Alberto Gonzalez during a recent sunny afternoon at the park enjoying the sprinklers. They kept their motorized scooters nearby so "nobody takes them," Wilton remarked.
"When we need to take a break from riding, we stop here and chill," Wilton said. "The little kids don’t really do talk to us, and we don’t bother them."
Indeed, Guirado Park is a haven for children of all ages to interact and play in harmony in an overcrowded city with its share of traffic.
"It’s a small neighborhood park honoring a city hero," Kaufman said.
The park has been around since the ’60s. After Guirado’s tragedy, it was informally named after him. Then, after years of decay, the park was renovated in 2001 and officially renamed in Guirado’s honor.
The park closes at 9 p.m. during the summer. The Current will be visiting a different Hudson County park each week throughout the summer. Do you have a favorite park in Hudson County? Let us know by writing to current@hudsonreporter.com. q