Work On ‘Mud Hole’ In Nutley Postponed Until After Holidays

NUTLEY, NJ — Work on the “Mud Hole” in Nutley has been pushed back until after the new year due to the holidays, officials say.

Earlier this year, Nutley officials announced that the town is carrying out a mitigation project at Memorial Park (the Mud Hole). The effort is being undertaken in response to the damage caused by Tropical Storm Ida in 2021.

Town Commissioner Mauro Tucci, who serves as Nutley’s Parks and Recreation Department director, previously said the project will involve clearing debris and items that have accumulated in the Mud Hole during storms, creating additional capacity for stormwater storage.

“The goal of this project is to alleviate and prevent some of the flooding we experienced during Ida and increase retention space for flood waters during future storm events,” Tucci said.

The work was previously slated to begin in early November. However, the start date was pushed back so that local residents can enjoy visiting the Mud Hole during the holiday season, officials said.

Nutley officials provided another update on the Mud Hole this week, noting that the work will now begin on Jan. 6, 2025.

Tucci said permits have been received and a preliminary survey will be starting next week. The park will be closed to the public beginning Jan. 6, with work on the project to begin the following day.

The Mud Hole will be closed for approximately six weeks during the mitigation.

“We decided to push back the start date so that our residents would still be able to enjoy the beauty of the Mud Hole during the holidays,” the commissioner explained. “We didn't want to put a damper on our holiday light tradition that so many of us look forward to each holiday season.”

“We ask for and appreciate everyone’s patience once the work begins,” he added.

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