FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anthony PuglisiJuly 2, 2007 973-621-2542

Lauren Shears

973-621-1590

ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PLANS

TO BUILD NEW DOG PARK AND REFURBISH TENNIS COURT FACILITY

IN ESSEX COUNTY BROOKDALE PARK

Essex County Partners with NJ Green Acres, Montclair United Soccer

and Essex County Open Space Trust Fund to Support Improvements

Bloomfield/Montclair, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced plans to build a 1.2-acre dog park and reconstruct and expand the tennis court facility in Essex County Brookdale Park on Monday, July 2nd. The Brookdale Dog Park will be the third off-leash dog facility created in the Essex County Park System.

“Throughout its history, our Park System has provided recreation facilities for our residents to play and relax. As our population has changed, our park system has been adapted to support the evolving interests and needs of the community,” DiVincenzo said. “Our dog park facilities have become very popular and have provided our residents with a safe and convenient place to bring their pets to run, play and exercise without a leash. They are a unique feature that attracts more and more people to our parks, and definitely contributes to our quality of life,” he added.

The Brookdale Dog Park will be located in the western section of Brookdale Park in a clearing that area residents already use as an informal area to walk their dogs. The new dog park will be 1.2 acres with one side of the facility being a 0.8 acre fenced in area for large dogs and the other side being a 0.4 acre fenced in area for small dogs. Both areas will have a stone dust surface and various pieces of apparatus on which the dogs can play and exercise. A steel archway will welcome dog owners and their pets to the new facility, and a pathway designed with ornamental brick pavers will lead them to the dog play areas. Both areas will have safety enclosures at each entrance to prevent unleashed dogs from running away, time out areas where excited dogs can be brought to calm down, and dog washing areas. The 11 existing tennis courts will be completely rebuilt with new surfaces, fencing and lighting. The project is scheduled to be completed by the winter of 2007.

“We watch all the great things that are being done in our parks and the progress that is being made. Joe, you’ve done more that what was ever expected,” Freeholder Vice President Ralph Caputo said.

“The public said there was a need for a dog park here. Today’s announcement is another example of how this government listens to its residents,” Freeholder Patricia Sebold said. “The wonderful thing about dog parks is the socialization that occurs between the people who visit. It is wonderful that we are constructing our third dog park here in Brookdale Park,” she added.

“Joe has taken the County to another level, and has brought dignity and respect back to Essex County,” Sheriff Armando Fontoura said. “Our parks are first rate and our residents enjoy them immensely. As I have continually said, Joe, if you build it the Sheriff’s Office will keep it safe,” he added.

T&M Associates of Middletown received a $97,996 contract to design the project and Sita Construction of Goshen, N.Y., was awarded a $1,285,070 to perform the construction work. Funding for the project is being provided through a Green Acres grant received by the Montclair United Soccer Club, a Multi-Park Improvement Grant from Green Acres awarded to Essex County and a grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board.

“One of the Trust Fund’s missions is to work cooperatively with the County to ensure all of our recreation facilities are modern and safe. We share the County Executive’s vision to revitalize the historic Essex County Park System and look forward to the positive impact these improvements will have on our quality of life,” said Lori Tanner, Chairwoman of the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.

Area residents already adopted the site of the new dog park as a place to play with and walk their pets. About 20 to 30 families utilize the site on a nightly basis.

“This is really the best place for a dog park because this is where we already meet. The dogs will like it because they are already familiar with the site,” said Montclair resident Corinna Sager, who was with her dog, Lucky Girl. “There is a huge need in the neighborhood. The Dog Park will make it safe for everyone,” she added.

“I have been bringing my dogs here for the past six years,” said Montclair resident Jennifer Harvey, who was with her dog, Jeter. “Having a dog park is a great thing of for the residents and the County Park System,” she added.

Creating Dog Parks in the Essex County Park System

Off-Leash Dog Facilities – or Dog Parks – are the most recent new amenity to be added to the Essex County Park System. While Essex County enforces a leash law in all of its parks, the dog parks enable family pets with an opportunity to roam free, get exercise and socialize with other dogs. The idea for a dog park in the Essex County Park System arose during annual park tours held by Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. to hear citizens’ input.

The first facility was opened in April 2004 in Essex County’s Watsessing Park. The Off-Leash Dog Facility in Essex County Watsessing Park is 19,500 square feet. The fenced in area has a stone dust surface and is equipped with park benches, dual water fountains with separate drinking spouts for pets and their owners, and DogiPot stations that have bags and receptacles for waste. A dual gate system at the entrance enables pet owners and their dogs to enter the facility with the peace of mind that the dogs will not run away. This facility was constructed in partnership with the federal Environmental Protection Agency and was built at no cost to the County of Essex.

The South Mountain Dog Park in Essex County South Mountain Reservation was opened in July 2006 and is located in a portion of an old deer paddock maintained by Essex. The two-acre facility is divided into two sections – 1.3 acres for large dogs and 0.7 acres for small dogs. Both areas have a crushed stone and compacted stone dust surface, dual drinking fountains, park benches, agility equipment for the dogs, a wash and spray area, “time out” areas for dogs, and DogiPot stations. The entrance to the Dog Park contains a memorial to honor emergency service dogs that lost their lives in the September 11, 2001, tragedies. There also is a steel portico, ornamental concrete pavers, and an informal path around the perimeter of the complex where owners can walk their dogs on a leash.

Revitalizing Essex County Brookdale Park

More than $3 million has been invested to revitalize Essex County Brookdale Park since 2003. The synthetic grass field and rubberized running track in the Oval were installed in May 2004 as part of a $1.8 million improvement and the great meadow area received an $1.2 million overhaul with new sod and improved drainage and irrigation systems in 2006. Essex County partnered with Montclair United Soccer and the Green Fields Foundation to obtain Green Acres funding and other grants were provided by the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board.

The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system in the United States. It has been expanded to include about 6,000 acres of land and includes 17 parks, four reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, miniature golf course, two off-leash dog facilities and a castle. At 121.41 acres, Brookdale Park is the third largest park in the Essex County System. Land for the park was purchased between 1928 and 1931.

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