Dear Editor:
I write to thank the Union City Police Department for arriving each night at 9 p.m. to close the soccer field on Second Street and New York Avenue. Without intervention of police the adult players would continue playing through the night disturbing the peace and scoffing a city ordinance that declares “enforced by U.C.P.D.” This soccer field is located on county park property as part of Washington Park and the county mandates the park be closed at 10 p.m. However, the adult players are heedless of this and have played in the past until 1 a.m. The Hudson County Sheriff’s Department refuses to enforce the 10 p.m. closure as the park is leased to Union City. Mayor Stack and the Board of Commissioners need to look at the signage on the soccer fence and note the hours of closing are incorrect and make the necessary corrections for each season of play. In addition, the signage needs to be bi-lingual (Spanish and English) and posted at all entrances to the soccer area. Mayor Stack and the City Clerk should review the city ordinance to make sure all parks are in compliance and up-date the ordinance if necessary.
Furthermore, it is important that the Union City Police Department take immediate action to stop cars from parking in the NJ Transit bus zone and driveway near this soccer field at the intersection of New York Avenue and Second Street. Residential parking must be enforced as many of these adult players hail from areas outside of Hudson County or New Jersey and use this field. Their cars take up parking needed by residents. Disrespectfully some do not bother to get a Visitor’s Permit. My future letters will concentrate on other vexing problems revolving around this soccer field. They are a constant nuisances to those in the vicinity of this soccer field. As always, I seek to maintain a respectful tone toward our mayor, B.P. Stack and Commissioners. I ask Mayor Stack to ensure action is consistently maintained and the Union City Police Department given praise for their part in maintaining law and order in Washington Park Soccer Field.
A park advocate,
Tony Squire