Action Center
Friday July 11, 2008
West Paterson's Zaccaria Park Improvements a Hit
WEST PATERSON—Nine-year-old Miles Cobb said he is happy about the new playground equipment in Frank D. Zaccaria Memorial Park and pronounced it a drastic improvement over the more than decade-old-equipment standing elsewhere in the 23-acre-park.
“It was dirty and rusty,” Miles said Thursday after borough officials unveiled equipment that included swings, slides, and a climbing wall.
Miles joined 135 other children who were attending day camp as they slid down green twisting slides, climbed chain ropes, and tried out the new swing set. Camp counselors kept a watchful eye on the children, who are enrolled in the West Paterson Summer Day Camp.
Thumping pop music provided the soundtrack for a fun-filled sunny day in the park. The mayor showed off two sets of playground equipment worth $100,000, one for children ages 2-5 and the other for children up to 12 years old.
Francie Joseph-Keating, clerk for recreation in the borough, said that the old equipment offered few options for older children to play on. The new equipment is larger and higher to accommodate bigger children.
“It’s definitely something for kids of all ages to enjoy,” she said.
A $35,000 bathroom facility was also unveiled. The money for the new additions came from West Paterson’s Open Space fund, established by borough residents four years ago in a referendum. Each year, $80,000 in tax revenue is deposited into the fund.
“West Paterson has been successful in open-space initiatives because you can see the results,” Lepore said.
The borough also plans to reseed the playing fields, add an irrigation system and hopes to install a spray park and new gazebos. Combined, the additions are expected to cost $1 million. Borough officials said they would seek state and federal open-space grants to help with the cost.
As the morning progressed, more youngsters praised the additions to the park.
“This is the perfect place to go for a hangout,” Steven Rodriguez, 13, said. “It’s a wonderful park for the campers.”
Another camper agreed that the new equipment is more fun.
“There wasn’t much to do or climb (with the old equipment),” Brianna Ciello, 9, said. “It also wasn’t as high.”
Earlier this week, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-Paterson, presented the mayor and Borough Council with a check from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development for $147,000. They money will be used to help create a bike path along the Morris Canal.
Since 2003, the borough has received more than $3 million in grants from various state and federal agencies for expanding green space, Councilman Keith Kazmark said.
Reach Virgil Dickson at 973-569-7172 or dickson@northjersey.com.
Reprinted with permission. (c)2008 Herald News (Passaic Co., NJ) Virgil Dickson
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