Grover Cleveland Park In Caldwell To Get $1.2M Facelift

CALDWELL, NJ — Essex County officials have announced plans for a $1.2 million project to modernize the playground and tennis courts in Essex County Grover Cleveland Park.

The county-run park, which is located in Caldwell and Essex Fells, is the seventh largest park in the county park system, and is bordered by Runnymede Road, Brookside Avenue and the abandoned Erie Railroad.

According to a county news release, the playground equipment, originally installed in 2003, is being replaced “because of regular wear and tear and so that the safest conditions can be provide for children.”

County officials said:

“There will be two play areas near the Children's House: one for children ages 2-5 and one for children ages 5-12. There are climbing apparatus, slides, spinners and swings for both age groups, including handicap-accessible swings. A new feature is a miniature zip line. The facility will have a rubberized safety surface in areas where play equipment is located. There are also grassy areas where children can run and play. In the center of the playground is a seating area from where parents can watch their children.”

According to Essex County officials, PS&S Integrated Services from Newark received a $51,500 professional services contract to design the playground. Picerno-Giordano Construction from Kenilworth was awarded an $899,945 publicly-bid contract to build the playground. The playground upgrade is being funded through the Essex County Budget.

Work began March 1 and is scheduled to be completed by July 1st so children have a full summer to play in the new facility, officials said.

In addition, the four-court tennis facility is being modernized with a new surface, fencing and equipment. It was last repaved and updated in 2004. The Department of Public Works designed the project in-house and will monitor the construction so delays are avoided. Sita Construction from Goshen, N.Y., was awarded a publicly bid contract of $214,750 to perform the construction. It is scheduled to be completed by September 2018, officials said.

“I want to thank [Essex County Executive] Joe DiVincenzo Jr. and his team for working with us and helping us get the things we want in the park done,” Grover Cleveland Park Conservancy President Diane Mensinger said.

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Photo: Glen Frieson