Pickleball In Weequahic Park; Upgrades Also Made To Other Courts

NEWARK, NJ — Pickleball is now an option at Weequahic Park in Newark with the completion of a renovation project that also included improvements to the tennis and basketball courts.

Last week, officials announced that a series of upgrades at the county-run park have crossed the finish line.

The tennis and basketball courts along Elizabeth Avenue have been “modernized,” with the basketball courts getting new playing surfaces and equipment, and the tennis courts getting new playing surfaces, fencing and equipment.

In addition, a tennis court was transformed into two pickleball courts – giving Newark residents in the area a new place to get their game on.

Essex County spokespeople said the basketball and tennis courts were last updated in 2012 and needed attention because of regular wear and tear.

The project was designed in-house by the Essex County Department of Public Works, which also monitored the work. Shore Top Construction Corp. from Freehold was awarded a publicly bid contract for $861,980 to perform the construction work. The improvements were funded with a grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.

The project was completed in three months.

“Residents rely on our parks system for recreation, relaxation and exercise,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“Updating the basketball and tennis courts and including pickleball courts helps meet the demand of these popular sports and provides residents with modern facilities to play on,” DiVincenzo said.

County officials pointed out that a “comprehensive renovation and modernization” of Essex County Weequahic Golf Course and the walking track and exercise stations around the park lake are also in the works.

• See Related: Sweeping Upgrades Coming For Weequahic Golf Course In Newark

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