New Walking Path Honors Newark Man’s Lifetime Of Hard Work

NEWARK, NJ — When he was growing up, Willbur McNeil’s family spent their vacations at Weequahic Park in Newark. Now, the Weequahic Park Association founder can stroll along a new walking path that bears his name.

Essex County officials recently dedicated a refurbished 2.2-mile walking path and outdoor fitness apparatus at the park in McNeil’s name.

The walking track was originally installed in the late 1990s – an effort spearheaded by McNeil.

Here’s some quick background on the rehab project that recently crossed the finish line, county officials said:

“At the time it was installed in the late 1990s, the walkway around Weequahic Lake was the longest resilient-surfaced track in the world. The popular attraction was last resurfaced in 2010 and was showing signs of regular wear and tear. This project improved grading and drainage along the walking path route and replaced the entire rubberized surface. In addition, the path of the track was realigned in the southern section of the park so it no longer passes through areas that typically flood after rainstorms. Benches and trash receptacles along the track and new signage regarding waterway rules and mileage markers were installed. The 17 fitness stations currently around the track were replaced with new equipment and rubberized surfaces. In addition, an exercise yard that is about 75 by 75 feet was created near the Meeker Street entrance to provide additional places for people to exercise. The exercise pad also has benches and a shade structure. Dead or diseased trees were removed and branches were pruned, landscaping was enhanced and water bottle filling fountains were introduced to the park.”

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 project was 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, officials said.

Work started in June and was completed in five months.

“When I took office in 2003, we only had one park conservancy that was working with our parks department – and that was the Weequahic Park Association headed by Wilbur McNeil,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. recalled.

“Wilbur and his organization have partnered with the county to completely transform Weequahic Park into a recreation destination for people of all ages,” DiVincenzo said.

“I can think of no better way to thank Wilbur for his longtime commitment to Weequahic than to name this track in his honor,” he said.

Wynnie-Fred Victor Hinds, the current president of the Weequahic Park Association, said that McNeil’s legacy is “woven into the fabric of this special place.”

“I want to thank you for all that you have done in this park and for the knowledge you have shared with the rest of us to continue the work you have started,” agreed Doug Freeman, president of the Weequahic Park Sports Authority.

McNeil also received congratulations from several lawmakers in the area, including New Jersey Sen. Teresa Ruiz, New Jersey Assemblywoman Carmen Morales, Essex County commissioners Wayne Richardson, A’Dorian Murray-Thomas and Len Luciano, and Newark Councilman Pat Council.

McNeil said that advocating for the park has been a community project, adding that he couldn’t have done it by himself.

“When I was growing up, Weequahic Park was where we spent our vacations,” the community leader said. “I really appreciate this recognition.”

TRIBUTE TO A LIFELONG NEWARK RESIDENT

Signage and plaque recognizing McNeil have been installed near the walking track at the Meeker Avenue entrance.

The plaque begins with a quote by Theodore Roosevelt: “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.”

It continues:

“Essex County Weequahic Park is where lifelong Newark resident Wilbur McNeil spent his youth playing and, as an adult, exercising and running. In 1992, when he saw conditions in the park decline, he organized a group of long-distance runners to form the Weequahic Park Association. Three years later, the WPA became the first park conservancy to enter into a partnership agreement with Essex County. Under McNeil’s leadership, the WPA grew in membership and became a constant presence advocating for improvements and sponsoring educational, recreational and cultural events in Weequahic Park. The largest project undertaken by McNeil and the WPA was the restoration of the shoreline around Weequahic Lake and the installation of the 2.2-mile rubberized walking track – the longest track of its kind on the East Coast. This has become a popular attraction where residents walk, jog, exercise, socialize and enjoy the outdoors. Naming the track as the ‘Essex County Wilbur J. McNeil Walking Track’ is a fitting tribute to recognize Mr. McNeil’s advocacy, stewardship, partnership and hard work to strengthen the vitality of Weequahic Park.”

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