Hoboken, Hudson County Will Split Cost Of Madison Park Project

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hudson County will pony up almost half of the cost for “much-needed” improvements to Madison Street Park in Hoboken, officials announced earlier this week.

During a Jan. 7 groundbreaking ceremony at the park, Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said the upcoming overhaul is a major priority for his administration.

“When completed, children in the surrounding area will have new playground equipment that provides for a safer place to play, learn and interact,” Bhalla said.

The Madison Street Park project will include brand new park equipment, including two new sections of playground equipment for children of different ages. It will also include an upgraded spray feature, new swing set, climbing net, new shade structure, additional benches and a new bathroom. The park’s new safety features will include new playground safety surface as well as added protective fencing, city officials said.

The park is currently closed for construction, and will reopen to the public in the spring of 2019, city officials stated.

On Monday, county and city officials announced that the project will receive a $500,000 allocation from the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund, nearly half the cost of the renovation.

“I want residents to know that the county remains one hundred percent committed to our long-held goal of aggressively supporting the expansion and improvement of parks and open space throughout Hoboken,” County Executive Tom DeGise said.

The final design for the new Madison Street Park went through a public process initiated by City Hall, which included two public meetings and a public survey. See more details about the project here.

Councilwoman Emily Jabbour said that she was thrilled to see the city and county partner on the project.

“Upgrading this playground is an investment in the families that love this city,” Jabbour said. “Families come from every part of the city to enjoy this park and they will be so excited to find this spring a beautiful new space with the addition of restrooms and more shaded areas.”

Councilman Michael Russo said the renovation effort makes necessary safety improvements and improves the quality of recreation for local children.

“Improving our local parks is an important priority for me on the council, and I’m proud to have worked with the administration to fulfill another promise I made to my neighbors by upgrading and renovating the Madison Street Park,” Russo said.

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Photo: City of Hoboken