WOODCLIFF LAKE—The borough’s contest to name the passive park under construction at the corner of Werimus Road and Woodcliff Avenue has generated more than 50 potential park names to replace its unofficial moniker of Galaxy Gardens Park, Mayor Carlos Rendo tells Pascack Press.
The contest, open to residents until Sept. 14, aims to find a fitting and inspiring name for the new park that will resonate with the spirit of the Woodcliff Lake community and foster a sense of belonging.
Rendo said it was likely that a new park name would be selected in October or November. A committee comprising councilors Julie Brodsky, Jennifer Margolis, and Nicole Marsh, along with Recreation Director Ryan Magee, will help winnow the suggestions and recommend the top choices to the Borough Council. A final vote is expected on the winning name.
“The Parks and Recreation Committee will review all the submissions and discuss with the council at large and the mayor the best way to announce it,” Margolis tells us. The rules state that only one entry per resident is allowed, although multiple entries per household are permitted. The committee will accept suggestions via a postcard sent to residents and through a form on the borough’s website.
So far, the community has been actively engaged, with nearly 60 residents commenting on the mayor’s Facebook page, offering a variety of name ideas that range from the serious to the humorous.
Some notable suggestions include “Bittman Park,” honoring a local land steward; “Jack D’Ambrosi Park,” for a resident who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; “Galaxy Park”; “Old Mill Park”; and the tongue-in-cheek “A Band Shell Is a Waste of Money Park.” An apparent fan of the mayor suggested “Rendo’s Reserve,” which elicited a chuckle from Rendo, though he declined further comment.
Another commenter, an attorney, suggested “RLUIPA Park,” referencing the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000. Valley Chabad sued under this law after the borough purchased the site, which the religious organization had hoped to use for an expanded house of worship. Valley Chabad won its lawsuit in 2020, receiving $1.5 million after alleging religious discrimination by the borough.
Rendo said it was unlikely that the name selection would honor an individual, stating that it would more likely be a generic name, such as “Woodcliff Gardens.” The final decision will be made by the mayor and council, based on recommendations from the naming committee.
The contest page on the borough’s website notes, “The contest, which runs through Sept. 14, offers residents a unique opportunity to have a lasting influence on the park’s identity for generations to come by providing a name that will resonate with the spirit of our community.”
Entries must have a connection to Woodcliff Lake. The rules specify that “no vulgar, crude, religious, or political submissions will be considered.”
Mayor Rendo expressed satisfaction with the creativity shown by residents, noting, “I’m glad we got more than one,” and adding that people frequently mention the new park during conversations.
He also highlighted recent fundraising successes, including a $750,000 private donation. “What’s good too,” he said, “is that people are really stepping up to donate now.”
For more information on the contest and donation opportunities, residents are encouraged to visit the borough’s website, at wclnj.com, and click on “Park Naming + Donation Opportunities.” The site notes that residents can support the park with donations toward a donor wall near the proposed band shell, as well as eight park benches, which will feature inscribed plaques. Benches are estimated to cost $6,000 for a 10-year period.
Earlier this year, Rendo said his top two priorities for 2024 were opening Galaxy Gardens Park and creating a walking nature trail around the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir.
He said he hoped the park might have a “soft opening” later this year, possibly in time to celebrate end-of-year holidays and other festivities.