Future site of 2nd Street Park
*Photo Submitted
News Release 10/2/14
PERTH AMBOY – A 6-acre former scrap metals yard has been vacant for so many years that residents rarely notice it. That is changing. Across from Wilentz Elementary School on Second St. and stretching from Patterson St. to the waterfront, a new park is in the works. The City of Perth Amboy acquired the property with a Green Acres grant to facilitate park development and to complement current waterfront redevelopment.
To help the City, the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) received a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Coalition Assessment Grant to use at the site. About $300,000 of the grant is being used for public outreach, education and park planning, as well as advising the City on environmental issues, performing environmental testing if needed, and helping the former owner plan the clean-up process before the park is built.
In September, Rutgers University staff held public open houses at the Brighton Avenue Community Center near the new park. More than 120 residents shared what they would like to see in the park. Early stage design concepts for the park, ideas from similar workshops, surveys for residents, environmental information about the metals site and how it affects design ideas were shared. Attendees gave many comments and were very excited about the idea of a park there. Joel Pabon, Sr., Perth Amboy City Council President and a member of the Second Street Park Steering Committee is a strong park advocate. “This is an incredible opportunity for Perth Amboy. Other planned waterfront improvements, combined with this new park are and will be wonderful assets for our community and will draw more visitors.” Similarly, Joel Polidura, City resident and Wilentz Elementary School teacher said, “We need something unique to Perth Amboy to make people come here, and our water front really is beautiful,” Polidura is eager to spread the word, “We need to tell the whole community about the new Second Street Park. Many people don’t know about it or heard about it from the past, but now it’s really happening!”
Many residents have been filling out on-line and paper surveys as well about what they want to see in the park. Suggestions include a skate park, bike and walking paths, trees, water slides, sports fields and community gardens.
It is your park, Perth Amboy! Find the survey in English and Spanish online at www.2ndstreetpark.blogspot.com or pick up a paper copy at four locations: Jankowski and Brighton Ave. Community Centers, City Hall and PRAHD. For more info, visit the website, comment at 2ndstreetpark@yahoo.com, or call 848-932-7901.
