Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the first steps have been taken toward a major upgrade of athletic facilities at the historic Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield.
“Public recreation is a core County mission and it is one that we take very seriously,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Along with the physical and mental health benefits for individuals, the whole Union County community grows stronger when people from different walks of life can meet and enjoy a great experience together.”
The new upgrades join Hudak’s 2014 “Turf and Build” Chairman’s Initiative, which calls for improving opportunities for team sports countywide. Some of the Turf and Build projects start in 2014 and others will be rolled out over the next several years.
At Cedar Brook Park, the plan calls for upgrading two existing multipurpose grass fields with synthetic turf and new lighting. A nearby baseball field will also undergo minor improvements. The three fields are located on Park Drive, across from the tennis courts.
The Cedar Brook upgrade was set in motion earlier this summer, when the Freeholder Board awarded a design contract. After the design process is complete, a construction timeline will be set.
New Jersey State Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-22), whose district includes Plainfield, Clark, Fanwood, Linden, Rahway, Scotch Plains, and Winfield, was among those participating in the planning process.
“Cedar Brook draws visitors from Plainfield and beyond, and these significant new upgrades will ensure that more people can come and enjoy this valuable public asset,” said Green. “Now we are counting on local residents and visitors to be mindful of the effort that is going into the improvements, and help to keep Cedar Brook looking attractive and welcoming to all.”
Cedar Brook Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and it is home to the historicShakespeare Garden.
Like New York’s Central Park, Cedar Brook is characterized by its easy access to visitors on foot as well as by car, with meandering, forested paths that lead to wide open vistas and artfully placed waterways. There is ample room for walking, picnicking, and many other relaxing activities, as well as fields for organized sports.
Freeholder Linda Carter noted that the upgrades will extend the useful hours of the fields.
“Union County is growing, and with these upgrades Cedar Brook will be able to welcome more visitors with updated, attractive facilities,” said Carter, who is a lifelong resident of Plainfield. “The new turf will help ensure that our fields recover more quickly from stormy weather and provide more opportunities for use, and the new lights will also help to extend the useful hours.”
Under the Turf and Build initiative, the other Union County parks slated for synthetic turf, new lights, and other improvements are Warinanco Park in Roselle, Mattano Park in Elizabeth, and Madison Avenue Park and Rahway River Park in Rahway.
Other new upgrades include construction of a new stadium at Warinanco Park, and free Wi-Fi at parks facilities including the County’s two swimming pools, skating rink, Trailside Nature and Science Center, and the playground area at Nomahegan Park.
For more information on all Union County parks, including special events and free summer music and movies, visit ucnj.org/parks.
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