Martucci Field To Officially Reopen After $600K Upgrade

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Mayor Steve Fulop and Hudson County Commissioner Bill O'Dea are among the dignitaries scheduled to appear at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at an event marking the official reopening of Martucci Field, the 1.5 acre park located at West Side Avenue and Pavonia Avenue.

The public park has undergone a $600,000 facelift that includes a new artificial turf field, which replaces the grass and dirt field the city said often needed repairing. Officials said the turf will save money in the long run because it will require less maintenance.

According to the city, the project was paid for with $500,ooo in Hudson County Open Space funds and $100,000 in capital funding.

The multi-purpose field, ideal for soccer and football, will be open to the public and available for permit reservations, the city said. There also are plans to use the space for community events like movies in the park.

"The improvements here at Martucci Field play a key role in creating a multifaceted recreation destination for all Jersey City residents to enjoy," Fulop said.

A community group called Friends of Pavonia Marion Park, which had advocated for Martucci Field's resurfacing, said in a statement that it was pleased with the improvements made to the park.

"It means so much to the community because there is very little open green space in our neighborhood. We look forward to the entire community using this space," the statement said.

Likewise, Paula Mahayosnand, president of the Jersey City Parks Coalition, said the group has been pleased to see the city's commitment and investment to improve parks in wards where space is limited.

"The Jersey City Parks Coalition recognizes that parks and open spaces are critical for a community's health and spirit," Mahayosnand said.

Fulop said that across the street from Martucci Field - on property that features the Pavonia/Marion Municipal Pool and another public park - the city currently is investing funds to upgrade basketball courts and build new playgrounds. Those funds, the mayor said, come from the Jersey City Open Trust.

In addition to Fulop and O'Dea, the guest list at Saturday's reopening is expected to include: members of the city council, former Jersey City Mayor Gerald McCann and John Martucci, the son of the the field's namesake Mike Martucci.