Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Freeholders is pleased to announce that the County has begun to dredge and make additional improvements to the Meisel Park Pond at Meisel Park in Springfield.
“The 2-1/2 acre pond was built in 1948 and was designed to be 2-5 feet deep, but decades of sediment accumulation reduced much of the pond to 1 foot or even less,” said Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen. “This new project will help restore the pond to health, and provide Meisel Park’s many visitors with a more enjoyable environment for relaxation and recreation.”
The work involves dredging Meisel Park Pond and replacing the old outlet structure and piping.
The new concrete outlet structure is designed to be easier to clean and less prone to clogging, and an electric aerator will be installed to increase dissolved oxygen in the pond.
Dissolved oxygen is necessary for aquatic life and is one of the key measures of a healthy body of water.
The shoreline will also be rehabilitated and improved with native plants to help reduce excess nutrient runoff into the pond. The new plants will also attract butterflies and other important pollinators.
Weather permitting, the entire project is expected to be completed this fall.
Meisel Park is part of the Union County parks system. It is located off Meisel Avenue in Springfield.
The pond is fed by nearby Van Winkle’s Brook and it forms a link in the Rahway River Parkway. One of the first greenways established in the United States, the Rahway River Parkway provides a protective buffer of public open space along the Rahway River from Union Township to Rahway
“The pond at Meisel Park has provided recreation for generations of County residents as well as preservation of habitat for flora and fauna,” said Bergen. “This long-awaited project will address some longstanding issues with the pond and improve the entire park for visitors and wildlife.”
The dredging project is being conducted by Grade Construction of Paterson, under a contract of $841,730 awarded by the Freeholder Board last November.
For more information about activities in Union County Parks visit ucnj.org/parks.
Quick links to all Union County programs related to open space, the environment and sustainability are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.
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Photo: The pond at Union County’s Meisel Park in Springfield has been temporarily transformed into a worksite as crews conduct dredging and other major improvements. With completion expected this fall, the project will create a healthier aquatic habitat and a more pleasant environment for park visitors. Credit: Jeffrey Jotz/County of Union.
For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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