Hudson County officials, although preparing to tighten the belt around their budget, have made it clear that parks and open space remains a top priority.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
Guy told HCV that the county is looking to be more fiscally responsible and prudent in all areas as the budget is being formulated. However, parks are not something that he foresees receiving the short end of the stick.
“Obviously, we’re tightening our belts, with the commissioners being responsible and myself being responsible,” he expressed.
“The parks are an open door to all our residents. So to say that we would cut back on any open space, passive recreational land, would not be fair.”
According to Guy, he said there are a number of park projects in the works planned throughout the rest of the year.
Whether that means building up an existing park or trying to create a new one, he said he will speak with each commissioner to gauge what projects they are interested in funding.
“We will sit with each and every one of our commissioners to see what they have in mind as far as their park improvements and renovations or new projects,” Guy noted.
In addition, Guy said they solicit submissions from each municipality for funding through the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund. He said the county plans to continue drawing down funds from that for a number of projects throughout the year.
“We task municipalities to giving us shovel-ready projects that will obviously serve their respective communities,” Guy added.
He further stated one project on the horizon is located on the West Side of Jersey City.
The running track and field there is rundown from frequent use, noting that all the high schools and others use it to workout, and therefore both are in need of renovations.
Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), who represents the west side, stated that is a really great project for Jersey City.
“It will create a desperately needed multi-purpose field in the park, as well as redoing the track which is in dire need of being totally redone. As chairman of the Public Resource Committee, I strongly support that project,” he declared.
Guy said they project would utilize trust fund monies to revitalize the running track for all residents. He said this and other similar projects will continue to move forward through the fund.
Other such initiatives recently advanced by the commissioners includes the nature trail planned for Braddock Park in North Bergen, as HCV previously reported.
At its most recent meeting on February 26th, the county furthered a number of other smaller projects, including: a contract with NAF Aquatics, LLC for fountain and spray park maintain for two years for $350,000; the supply and installation of a portable fence for Lincoln Park for $128,933.89 and the paving of the pitcher’s mound at Braddock Park for $27,210.15, both from Murray; and the purchase of parts and repairs for lawn and ground equipment from Cherry Valley for $10,000; among others.
