New Dog Park Coming To Newark, Expected To Be 'Big Hit'

NEWARK, NJ — A series of upcoming upgrades at the county-run Vailsburg Park in Newark will include a dog park, officials recently announced.

The upgrades will also include renovation of a restroom building near the children’s playground, officials said.

The Vailsburg Dog Park is the sixth in the Essex County Parks System. The Watsessing Dog Park in Bloomfield/East Orange opened in 2005. The South Mountain Dog Park in Maplewood/Millburn opened in 2006. The Brookdale Dog Park in Bloomfield/Montclair opened in 2007. The Hilltop Dog Park in North Caldwell opened in 2018. And the Branch Brook Dog Park in Newark opened in 2019.

“Members of the community came to us with the request to include a dog park and renovate the playground restroom building in Vailsburg Park,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“The development of the dog park transforms an underutilized section of the park into a vibrant location where community members and their canine pets can gather and socialize,” DiVincenzo said.

“This facility will provide dog owners with a place for the canine members of their family with a place to run and play and not be on a leash,” Essex County Commissioner Len Luciano agreed.

The upgrades and dog park are scheduled to be finished by the end of 2023, officials said.

County officials released the following details about each upgrade:

DOG PARK – “The dog park will be located in the western section of the park. It will be about 24,000 square feet in size and have separate fenced-in areas for small and large dogs. The large dog area is about 13,000 square feet and the small dog area is about 11,000 square feet. The dog park will have a gated decorative entrance, agility apparatus and water fountains designed for dogs, benches, garbage cans and an information kiosk. Landscaping will be enhanced, trees will be pruned, and new pathways, sidewalks and curbing will be installed in the area.”

RESTROOM BUILDING – “The existing restroom building adjacent to the children’s playground will be renovated with modern fixtures. In addition, asbestos and lead paint will be safely removed from the building; new flooring, ceiling, partitions and lighting will be installed; and plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems will be updated. Outside of the building, landscaping will be enhanced, the roof will be replaced, exterior lighting will be improved and ornamental trash receptacle, drinking fountains and benches will be installed. Walkways, pathways, curbing and other masonry items will be repairs.”

According to county officials:

“French and Parrello from Wall was awarded a professional services contract for $124,500 to design the improvements. Zenith Construction Services from Orange was awarded a publicly bid contract for $1,994,950 to perform the construction work. The Essex County Department of Public Works will monitor the project to ensure delays are avoided. It is being funded through the Essex County capital budget and with a grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.”

The county’s announcement got a round of applause from supporters.

“Things like this mean a lot and represent important investments in our parks and neighborhoods,” Newark Councilman Anibal Ramos said.

“Dog parks are a big deal, especially in urban areas,” Ramos added.

Pam McElveen of the Palm Street Block Association in Newark said the group looks forward to working with the county on more projects in the future.

“I know the dog park will be a big hit, and I appreciate the renovations to the restroom building,” McElveen said.

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