Hoboken ‘Pop Up Park’ Plans Approved: What Might Be Coming?

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken’s Northwest resiliency park is still in the works, but until it appears, local residents will still be able to benefit from the city-owned land.

During its public meeting on Feb. 15, the Hoboken City Council approved plans to create a temporary “pop-up park” on a six-acre parcel of land recently purchased from BASF, one of the largest chemical manufacturing producers in the world.

The City of Hoboken recently acquired the 6.1 acre BASF property in northwest Hoboken for use as a “resiliency park,” which is proposed to include at least 1 million gallons of underground stormwater detention, as well as a new above-ground parking garage, the first municipal garage in western Hoboken.

The planning process for the permanent park, which would be the city’s largest, is anticipated to start in spring 2017.

• See related article: Hoboken Reaches Agreement To Buy BASF 'Eminent Domain' Site For $30M

Plans are now underway to create a temporary, four-acre “pop-up” park so that the community could start to enjoy the benefits of this site by this summer, city officials stated.

The pop-up park is anticipated to be open by summer 2017 and remain open until construction begins on the permanent resiliency park sometime in the next two to three years, officials said.

• See related article: Hoboken Officials Want Feedback On Northwest 'Pop-Up Park'

The city’s full plans for the pop-up park can be seen online here. According to a final plan presentation given during the Feb. 15 meeting, officials said that the pop-up park will include:

• Multi-sport courts
• An open fitness and events space
• A rock climbing wall
• A nine-hole mini-golf course
• Playground equipment
• A bocce ball court
• Community gardens
• Public art

Former U.S. EPA Attorney Richard Weinstein reached out to Patch in 2015, expressing concerns about the “possible presence of hazardous wastes” at the property, which was formerly owned by Henkel, a multi-national company that manufactures laundry/home care, beauty care and adhesive technology.

“Remediation of the site is the legal and financial responsibility of BASF as the property owner/responsible party,” a Hoboken city spokesman told Patch.

• See related article: Officials: Contamination At Eminent Domain Purchase Site Is BASF's Responsibility

Artist's Rendering: City of Hoboken

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