In Newark: Branch Brook Park Gets New Playground

The Northern Division of Essex County’s Branch Brook Park now has its first playground.

On Oct. 16, officials announced the opening of the new playground at the county-owned park located in Newark and Belleville.

According to a release, the playground is located adjacent to the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center and the new Children’s Garden that was opened in 2014. The playground is designed with a cherry blossom theme to match the Japanese flowering trees in Essex County Branch Brook Park.

The park features play figures in the shapes of lions and lion cubs, playground apparatus and swing sets appropriate for children ages 2 to 5 and ages 5 to 12, a rubberized safety surface, benches, trash receptacles and drinking fountains.

According to county officials, playground was funded with a grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.

Pennoni Associates from Edison received a $51,950 contract to design the playground. Shauger Property Services from East Orange was awarded a publicly bid contract for $603,200 to construct the facility.

Work started in June and was completed in four months, according to county officials.

Pictured above: From left, Sheriff Armando Fontoura, Essex County Chief of Staff Philip Alagia, Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board President Lori Tanner, Freeholder Rolando Bobadilla, NJ State Senator and Essex County Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor-Marin and Newark Councilman Carlos Quintana.

Photo courtesy of Glen Frieson