$10M In Upgrades Coming For Glenfield Park In Montclair

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Essex County officials have announced plans for more than $10 million in upgrades to Glenfield Park in Montclair.

Earlier this month, elected officials and community leaders gathered at the park to give more details about the facelift, which will include an enlarged community center, a synthetic grass practice football field and parking lot improvements.

The Wally Choice Community Center will see a big upgrade, according to county officials:

“The new building will be about 10,000 square feet, which is about twice the size of the current park building. It will have a large activity room, a computer room, office space, a kitchen and a room to be used as a substation for the Montclair Police Department. A patio for outdoor seating will be located on the back of the building. The new building will be located to the right of the existing Wally Choice Center and will be situated closer to the street. A parking lot with about 40 spaces will be created in front of the building to make it more accessible. The current building, which was renovated in 2018, will remain open to public during construction. It will be razed when the new building opens, which will be by the end of 2022.”

County officials said the Wally Choice Center will be designed similarly to recent community center projects completed in Cedar Grove Park, Watsessing Park and Weequahic Park.

A “modernization of the football field” at the park is also on the list of improvements; it will be updated with a synthetic grass surface and sports lighting.

According to county officials:

“Comito Associates from Newark was awarded a professional services contract for $525,000 to design the building and park improvements. Grove Contracting LLC from Cedar Grove was awarded a publicly bid contract for $10,619,000 to perform the construction work. The project is being funded through the Essex County capital budget and with a $5 million grant from the NJ Department of Community Affairs.”

“The Wally Choice Community Center has been a hub of activity and social gathering for the community,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“The amount of use that the building receives has made it evident that a new, larger facility that provides a welcoming environment and ample space is needed,” DiVincenzo said. “After meeting with and getting input from residents from the neighborhood and organizations that utilize the facility, we have created a plan to provide modern meeting spaces, enhance access into the park and update the football field.”

The announcement got a thumbs-up from several Montclair community members:

Wally Choice Jr., son of the late Wally Choice – “I want to thank the County Executive for once again honoring my father’s legacy, his contributions to the community and his love of this park.”

Montclair 4th Ward Councilor David Cummings – “It was about a year ago that I walked this site with the county efxecutive and Mr. Albert Pelham and now here we are today. Once this new center opens children will have a place where they can go and learn.”

Rev. Craig Dunn, executive director of the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation – “This is a huge development for Glenfield Park. This type of investment is amazing and will show children that they can set roots in the community but also have wings and explore what is beyond Montclair.”

Will Young, Montclair Police Department/Montclair Cobras – “I can’t tell you how excited we are about this project. It’s all about doing what’s best for the children. Will be great to have a field that is save and serviceable.”

Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill – “This really is a community event as we celebrate the physical structure but it is nothing without the people in the community making is a special place.”

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