Making Progress with Storm Sewer Work and Park Renovation – The Hudson Reporter

Last October, we held a ceremony to mark the beginning of work on sewer improvements and recreational renovations at Francis G. Fitzpatrick Park. The park, which is located on Avenue C between 26th and 27th Streets, was constructed in the 1970s on the site of our former Police and Fire Headquarters. It is named after Mayor Fitzpatrick, who served from 1962 to 1974. The park has needed renovations for some time.

You may have noticed the deep excavations in the park property. These holes prepared the ground for the installation of stormwater management upgrades, which will reduce the rate of run-off for storm events in both the park and along Avenue C. The existing sanitary sewer system in Bayonne is a combined system that accepts both sanitary sewer discharge and stormwater run-off. This combination places a strain on the sanitary sewer system. We will help address that problem by installing a new stormwater piping system, separate from the sanitary piping from 26th Street to 28th Street. There will be new drainage structures at each of the Avenue C intersections with 26th, 27th, and 28th Streets.

The park will be renovated thoroughly, along with improvements to the neighborhoods stormwater system. The improvement program is funded partially by a Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund Grant in the amount of $661,000, and by the New Jersey Water Bank in the amount of $1,478,547.50. The Water Bank is a program of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The contractor for the project is Picerno-Giordano Construction.

The contractor removed the aging playground equipment, swing sets, a small spray park, a bathroom structure, and seating areas. Everything will be replaced with modern park improvements. The new version of the park will include separate playgrounds for 2-5 year-olds and 5-12 year-olds. There will be new swing sets and a splash park area. A roller hockey rink will be installed. It will double as a pickleball court. A new porous paver patio area will include game tables and picnic tables that comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. A new drinking fountain will include a pet drinking feature. Pet waste stations will be added. Twelve shade trees will be installed along with 272 shrubs and other plantings.

We expect completion of construction for both the new storm sewer system and the park later in 2021. We would like to thank the state and county for their support of this important project.

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Making Progress with Storm Sewer Work and Park Renovation - The Hudson Reporter