'Beautiful Scenic Walkway' In Newark Park Will Get Major Upgrades

NEWARK, NJ — The rubberized walking path around Weequahic Lake in Newark will be getting a $2.5 million upgrade, Essex County officials announced Wednesday.

The lake – which is located in Weequahic Park – includes a 2.2-mile “beautiful scenic route” around its perimeter. It’s often used by runners and people who are simply looking for a leisurely stroll, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

According to the county, the walkway around Weequahic Lake is the longest resilient-surfaced track in the world. The popular attraction was last resurfaced in 2010 and is showing signs of regular wear and tear.

Here are some of the improvements being planned at the park, county officials say:

“This project will improve grading and drainage along the walking path route and replace the entire rubberized surface. In addition, the path of the track will be realigned in the southern section of the park so the walkway is removed from areas that typically flood after rainstorms. Benches and trash receptacles along the track will be installed and new signage regarding waterway rules and mileage markers will be installed. The 17 fitness stations currently around the track will be replaced with new equipment and rubberized surfaces. In addition, an exercise yard that is about 75 by 75 feet will be created near the baseball fields to provide additional places for people to exercise. The exercised pad also will have benches and a shade structure. Dead or diseased trees will be removed and branches will be pruned, landscaping will be enhanced and bottle filling water fountains will be included.”

County officials added:

“French and Parrello from Wall received a $95,000 professional services contract to design the improvements. JA Alexander, Inc. from Bloomfield was awarded a publicly bid contract for $2,493,850 to perform the construction work. The Department of Public Works will monitor the project to ensure delays are avoided. The project is being funded with grants from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund, the NJ Green Acres Program, NJ Urban Parks Program and the NJ Department of Community Affairs. Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024.”

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