New Playground Opens in Church Square Park
In time for winter break, the playground in Church Square Park is ready for playing.
Around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, a group of about a 100 screaming kids ran onto the new playground in Church Square Park. Within seconds, the multiple climbing structures were full of kids.
Climbing onto the biggest structure took Itamar Greenfield about seven seconds he said.
"They built more things to climb on," he said. Greenfield was one of the kids who helped Mayor Dawn Zimmer cut the ribbon to the much awaited play ground. Afterward, Greenfield, 11, kept a piece of the red ribbon and put it in his pocket.
"Than I can remember the opening of the park," he said.
The equipment in the park is appropriate for multiple ages, said Health and Human Services Director Leo Pellegrini. All in all, the playground cost about $650,000. Of that money, $52,000 was donated by the family alliance.
Zabrina Stoffel, a local parent who has been working to renovate the park since 2009 as part of an initiative called Project Play, said the new playground exceeded her wildest expectations, calling it "safe" and "challenging" for a variety of ages.
"It's beyond my dream," Stoffel said.
The park is opening in phases. The basketball court is being returfed and new swings are scheduled to arrive — from Europe — before the end of the year, Pellegrini said.
Hobbs
3:26 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Good news.
Also try to attend the meeting tonight at 7:00pm to get public input on how to use the $600.000.00 grant that has been given to Hoboken to renovate Elysian Park . :-)
David A. Liebler
3:26 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Happy to see that all the hard efforts for all of those involved, finally paid off and everyone can now enjoy. Well done and special kudos goes out to Zabrina for keeping this effort alive....a special thank you goes out to the Mayor and Leo for all his hard work and dedication to complete this project. Nicely done. Community and government working together for the greater cause. Happy Day!
Scott M. Siegel
10:01 am on Friday, December 21, 2012
Great news for the kids. Mayor Zimmer is honoring her pledge to make 2012 the "Year of the parks".
Redwing forever
10:17 am on Friday, December 21, 2012
why can't we get things made in the USA
Whynot
10:48 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012
Why wasn't the toddle section renovated? It needed a facelift at the least....
Whynot
10:48 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012
Why? Please explain!!
Hobbs
10:07 am on Wednesday, December 26, 2012
It will be by spring. :-)
marley
10:48 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012
What a monstrosity. This is not a "park" for all residents. This is a huge, ugly playground for kids, basketball courts, astro-turf play space and doggie toilet. Oh I forgot, that tiny piece of untouched land in the northeast corner, is that for the rest of us??
XJS
2:06 pm on Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Yep. The NW corner is for the childless, dogless, angry, lonely types. Based on your posts you'll fit right in.
espo
5:46 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
Yes. That is if you can find a bench that has enough slats to make sitting on possible
Hobmom333
10:07 am on Wednesday, December 26, 2012
This is no longer a park for all ages. They took away 3 structures for preschoolers and replaced them with NONE. Now a centrally-located playground that was accessible to many different ages is in effect, a playground for babies and 7+ yr olds.
Susana
10:07 am on Wednesday, December 26, 2012
They basically eliminated a play space for pre-schoolers. My son couldn't play on any of the equipment because its too large and overrun by 9-10 yr olds. They could've incorporated a few things for the 2-5 yr olds. At lease a slide. This is the only centrally located park. It should appeal to all.
Diana
10:07 am on Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Park looks great for older kids but is a huge disappointment to preschoolers. The small section near 4th Street needs a slide and some climbing equipment for younger kids that are too old for the toddler park but too young for the middle park. My son has nowhere to play here now. I hope this gets rectified soon- I know there are many with the same feedback.
XJS
1:25 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Those of you with small children should walk to any of the other parks in town - all of which cater to yours. In a few years you'll have kids that will love this park.