PERTH AMBOY— Mayor Wilda Diaz joined the Juan Pablo Duarte Committee in holding a ceremony at the future International Park at Caledonia/Roessler Park on Sadowski Parkway, this past Saturday afternoon [July 28, 2012].

The event which began with a mass and ended with a photo-op of committee members, Mayor Diaz, and members of the Dominican community announced the initial efforts, as the first cultural group to bestow a gift of the bust of Juan Pablo Duarte, representing the Dominican Republic to the City of Perth Amboy and plans for its installment within the next year.

Plans, which were introduced to the governing body nearly 3 years ago, have developed into honoring all walks of life with the establishment of an International Park.

“This will be the future site designated for the International Park, to hold all cultural monuments surrounded by international flags reflecting the diversity of the Perth Amboy community, said Mayor Wilda Diaz.

Mayor Diaz followed by stating, “Eventually the park will be transformed with the plan of it a symbolic location for all of the families of the City of Perth Amboy. This will represent the past and future of Perth Amboy and a tribute to the history of our community. It will stand as a showcase of our diversity, rich history and represent the respect we have for one another as members of this community.”

“A lovely religious service and a symbolic ground-breaking was held to indicate that they are making advances towards their goal of erecting their Duarte Statue as part of the future International Park,” said Kathleen Manning Depow, President of Museums of Perth Amboy (MoPA).

In 2008, an ordinance was established with the honorary naming of Caledonia/Roessler as Juan Pablo Duarte Park.

News Release