Bronze Statue Honors Longest-Serving Parks Director In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The longest-serving parks director in the history of Essex County got a surprise honor this week: a bronze bust of himself at Branch Brook Park’s new visitor center.

The statue of Daniel Salvante was unveiled near the entrance at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center at Branch Brook Park, which is located in Newark and Belleville.

Salvante – who grew up in Verona and currently lives in South Orange – was surprised with the dedication on Wednesday in recognition of his 28-year tenure on the job. The previous record of years of service to the county parks system was 27 years, held by Allison Dodd, who served as a member of the Parks Commission from 1921 to 1948.

The granite base of the monument is inscribed with a quote from renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who was involved in the planning and design of Essex County Branch Brook Park: “The true value of a park lies not in its monetary worth, but in the way it enriches the lives of the people who visit it.”

The plaque continues:

“Dan Salvante was named Essex County Parks Director in 1996 and, as of 2024, has overseen the department for 28 years, making him the longest serving Parks Director in Essex County history. In that time, he witnessed a rebirth and revitalization of the Parks System, which is the first county system created in the nation. Children climb on new playgrounds, athletes play on modern fields and courts, historic features are preserved, and natural vistas are enhanced. This attention enabled Essex to meet the changing needs of residents and transformed our Parks into the epicenter of our communities.”

According to county officials, Salvante became director of the Essex County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs in 1996. He is responsible for overseeing the Essex County Parks System, which was formed in 1895 and is the first county park system created in the United States. It includes more than 6,000 acres and has 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, Turtle Back Zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, six off-leash dog facilities, Kip’s Castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.

Prior to that, Salvante was the Parks and Recreation director in Pequannock and the deputy director in Berkeley Heights. He is a member of the National Recreation and Park Association and the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association. He served as president of the NJRPA from 1995 to 1996 and vice president from 1993 to 1994. The NJRPA presented Salvante with the Daniel B. Berman Award for Administrative Excellence in 1999. He graduated from William Paterson College (now university) and is a certified New Jersey recreation administrator.

“For almost three decades, Dan has put his heart and soul into overseeing our parks and open spaces,” said Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., one of many local officials and county employees who praised Salvante at this week’s dedication ceremony.

“The amount of time that Dan has given to Essex County is commendable and should not go unnoticed,” he added.

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