West Caldwell Moves Ahead With Memorial Park Makeover

Memorial Park upgrades are moving along as part of a larger plan to improve West Caldwell’s recreation facilities this spring and summer.

The deadline for bids to replace fencing and dugouts and add lighting to the two ball fields at Memorial Park is Thursday, Councilman Stanley Hladik, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, said at Tuesday night’s West Caldwell Council Meeting. 

Hladik said the council is expected to approve a bid at the March 19 meeting and work would begin by the end of the month.

The township will also be reviewing state contracts to replace the playground equipment at Memorial. The old equipment has already been removed to make way for a new plaground to be installed this spring, Hladik said.

Other upgrades expected to be completed this spring and summer are new dugouts and batting cages at Francisco Park, new bleachers at Essex County Vocational School field and renovations to the bathrooms at Memorial Park.

The township also plans to add bocce courts and chess tables at Memorial, as well as renovate the park’s tennis courts and basketball court.