WOODCLIFF LAKE—Once a landscape architect is hired — said likely this December or early January 2022 — borough officials say they’re hoping to get designs for a long-awaited passive park at Woodcliff Avenue and Werimus Road within a few months.
Meanwhile, the borough is considering residents’ input on possible uses for the former Galaxy Gardens site, on 2.1 acres.
Recognition for veterans has emerged as a leading idea.
Borough Administrator Tom Padilla said he anticipates the council hiring a landscape architect soon, and getting a couple park designs in early 2022.
Padilla said the borough hopes for an opening by late summer or early fall 2022.
A request for qualifications to hire a landscape architect was advertised in early November, Padilla told Pascack Press on Nov. 10. Qualified candidates must respond by this Nov. 30, and a landscape architect is likely to be appointed at the January reorganization meeting, he said.
In February 2018, with Mayor Carlos Rendo tipping a 3-3 council tie to a 4-3 proposal win, the borough bought the land for $1.65 million.
Some residents argued against the purchase, citing likely site contamination stemming from the site’s previous uses as a garden center and gas station.
Indeed, contamination was found, adding $355,000 for soil clearing, grading and remediation.
During his January 2021 reorganization address, Rendo called for action on the site.
As yet there’s no local advisory committee to help plan and initial park-related planning and implementation efforts.
Padilla said the council’s Park and Recreation Committee is providing oversight to the park design process. He said the borough was due $500,000 in grant funds from the county upon its recently completed soil remediation.
The borough also has grants pending for county matching funds totaling more than $100,000.
On Nov. 2, residents approved continuation of a local Open Space fund and tax to provide matching funds for county and state grants.
Survey says…
Rendo said in September that Parks and Recreation liaisons were reviewing comments from the related summer survey. The representatives were to report back to the mayor and council before advertising for a landscape architect.
Padilla told Pascack Press that just over 60 total park surveys were filled out and returned, including 39 online surveys and about 24 print surveys.
He said the small, unscientific survey showed most respondents favored a walking track and benches. Allowing dogs in the park was favored among respondents. A water fountain in the center of the park drew 33 votes. Landscape accent lighting sparked 40 votes.
Padilla noted that public sentiment, plus available funds, would play a role in what amenities are included.
He said there appeared to be a council consensus to focus on honoring veterans via a memorial or monuments in the park.
Councilwoman Josephine Higgins, a former borough mayor and a longtime advocate for honoring local veterans in the park, added that appropriate materials from the former VFW should be relocated to the site.
Previously, Councilwoman Angela Hayes suggested the town consider a temporary ice rink, similar to Westfield’s outdoor rink, from November to March. Both Higgins and councilwoman Jacqueline Gadaleta supported the idea. Higgins said the borough had once located a temporary rink next to the tennis courts.
It was unclear if an ice rink or artificial rink was a passive use. The survey noted that an ice rink was not an approved use.
Padilla said the borough attorney will report on what amenities or uses may be considered in a passive park.
Donations, sponsorships could be welcome
Councilman Richard Schnoll suggested selling off Belgian blocks to help finance the park’s ongoing development and maintenance and Rendo said officials would look into soliciting corporate sponsorships.
Rendo has also said one resident was interested in making a major park donation and many others had offered to donate trees.
In May, Rendo asked on his Facebook page for residents to share what they would like to see in the new park.
Respondents said they’d like to see amenities ranging from a band shell to bike riding, a playground, a splash pool, miniature golf, a food truck area, and an outdoor gym circuit and obstacle course.
Nature trail in limbo
In addition to the proposed park, Rendo said 2021 would be the year to join efforts to develop a 1.5-mile Woodcliff Lake Reservoir Nature Trail, in concert with Park Ridge and Hillsdale.
That effort appears stalled, with Suez recently telling Pascack Press that the three towns have yet to sign off on agreements needed for trail security and maintenance.