$1.7M In Upgrades Coming For Watsessing Park In Bloomfield, East Orange

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Ground has been broken on a $1.73 million series of upgrades at Watsessing Park in Essex County.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday at the county-run park, which is located in Bloomfield and East Orange.

According to a statement from the office of Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., here’s what is in store for the park:

PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS – The existing playground will be replaced with new apparatus and a rubberized safety surface that are designed with an aquatic theme to match the theme of the adjacent spray park. New additions to the playground are shade structures over the playground equipment and seating areas for parents/guardians. The installation of park benches, trash receptacles and landscaping, improvements to the walking paths and tree pruning are included in the project. In addition, repairs will be made to spray park equipment.

FIELD REPLACEMENT – The existing synthetic grass surface will be replaced due to regular wear and tear. The improvements to the soccer and lacrosse fields were designed in-house by the Essex County Department of Public Works, which will also monitor the project to ensure delays are avoided. A publicly bid contract for $1,125,000 was awarded to Zenith Construction Services from Orange to perform the construction work. The field improvements are with a grant from the NJ Green Acres program. The project is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2026.

According to the county, a professional services contract for $147,000 was awarded to Remington and Vernick Engineers from Secaucus to design the improvements. A publicly bid contract for $1,589,900 was awarded to Picerno-Giordano Construction from Kenilworth to perform the construction work. The improvements were funded with a grant from the NJ Green Acres Program.

The project is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2026.

DiVincenzo noted that the county’s first “all-access playground” was opened at the park in 2019.

“It feels good to revisit this incredible addition to our parks system to ensure that open spaces like our parks are well-maintained for all of our residents,” he said.

Other local elected officials who gave a thumbs-up to Monday’s announcement included New Jersey Assemblyman Mike Venezia, Bloomfield Mayor Jenny Mundell, East Orange Mayor Ted Green, Essex County commissioners Carlos Pomares and Brendan Gill, and Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones.

• See Related: Playground For 'All Abilities' Grows In Bloomfield, East Orange

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