FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:Teresa Ruiz

April 5, 2005 973-621-4404

Anthony Puglisi

973-621-2542

ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES

BRAND NEW OFF-LEASH DOG FACILITY AT WATSESSING PARK

Partnership between Essex County, Watsessing Park Conservancy and Federal Environmental Protection Agency Results in

Essex County Park System’s First Ever Dog Exercise Area

Bloomfield/East Orange, NJ – Essex County dogs have a new place where they can stretch their legs and run free off their leashes. Their owners, meanwhile, can have peace of mind knowing the area is fenced in and secure.

On Tuesday, April 5th, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated the Off-Leash Dog Facility at Essex County’s Watsessing Park in Bloomfield/East Orange. The 19,500-square-foot site is the first dog run established in the Essex County Park System and is open to all dog owners in Essex County. The dog exercise area was created in partnership with the Watsessing Park Conservancy and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

“The dog exercise area is a historic addition because it is the first of its kind in our park system. During our annual park tours to obtain citizen input, our residents said they wanted a dog run, and today we are fulfilling that request,” DiVincenzo said. “This project is another example of what we can accomplish through successful partnerships with the community and other government agencies. I thank the Conservancy and EPA for joining us in this project and helping to improve our residents’ quality of life,” he noted.

The Off-Leash Dog Facility is located off Locust Avenue in Bloomfield in an area that is sectioned off from the rest of the park by the Second River. To prepare the site, the land was re-graded, fencing was erected, new lighting was installed and trees were pruned. The facility also has 10 park benches, two dual water fountains with separate drinking fountains for pet owners and their pets, and five Dogipot Pet Stations, which have waste receptacles, waste bag dispensers and a supply of waste bags.

Jane Myers, President of the Watsessing Park Conservancy, said, “We’re really excited about this. We have a beautiful facility for our canine friends and that’s really important.”

Freeholder Vice President Patricia Sebold and Freeholder Ralph Caputo also were impressed with the new facility. “This is a wonderful park and I know it will be used heavily,” said Sebold. “Joe has really made a shining example of our parks, so let’s celebrate the opening of this new facility today,” said Caputo.

“Bloomfield is impressed with what the County Executive has done. This is an example of how the park system has been revitalized under Joe DiVincenzo’s leadership and it helps us improve the quality of life for our residents,” said Bloomfield Mayor Raymond McCarthy.

Dan Salvante, Director of the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs, reminded residents that dogs must be restrained on a leash when entering or leaving the new facility or walking through any Essex County parks, and dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets at the Off-Leash facility. He also noted dog owners cannot leave their pets unattended while they are using the Off-Leash Dog Facility. Other rules to use the facility are posted on signs located at the site.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency needed the site to support its cleanup of radiological contamination on many homes in the Bloomfield and East Orange neighborhoods. The site had been used as a staging area for trucks and equipment owned by Sevenson Environmental Services, Inc., from Niagra Falls, N.Y. Sevenson is the EPA’s cleanup contractor. As part of the contract to temporarily use the park, EPA agreed to pay for the restoration of the area of the park according to the County’s wishes. Engineers from the Essex County Department of Public Works performed the design work for the off-leash facility.

“The agreement between the EPA, the town and the County to use this area as a critical support zone for our cleanup work was the small success story that made the big success story possible. And, they do not come bigger than this Superfund Residential Cleanup Project,” said George Pavlou, Acting Deputy Regional Administrator for the EPA.

The Off-Leash Dog Facility at Watsessing Park is the latest of several major improvements that have been made in Watsessing Park since DiVincenzo took office in 2003.

In 2004, Essex County completed a $902,000 project to rehabilitate the historic bandstand near Bloomfield Avenue and the Lawn Bowling Facility off Glenwood Avenue in Bloomfield. The lawn bowling facility was reopened with a new synthetic grass surface and fencing, and repaired restroom facilities in an adjacent field house.

In addition, restroom facilities in the Community Center on Conger Street in Bloomfield and the Field House off Glenwood Avenue in East Orange were updated. Basketball courts located off of Glenwood Avenue in East Orange were renovated and the Essex County seal was painted at the center of each court. Water fountains were repaired, and additional trash receptacles and decorative benches were placed throughout the park.

In 2003, Essex County completed a $65,000 beautification project at the Bloomfield Avenue entrance to Watsessing Park. New sidewalks, decorative park pathways and landscaping improved the entrance, making it more inviting. In addition, upgrades were made to the drainage system, park trees were trimmed, and the restrooms and senior room were painted. Essex County also invested about $220,000 to install rubberized safety surfaces in the three playgrounds in the park.

# # #