Jersey City Breaks Ground on New 1.5 Acre Park, continuing Administration’s efforts to expand Park Space

Jersey City – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announces plans for a brand new $2 million city park spanning 1.5 acres without using tax payer funds.

Construction begins this week on the park which will transform vacant land located along Coles Street between 16^th and 18^th streets that has realized significant residential development in recent years. The greenspace is completely financed and constructed by Manhattan Building Company as part of a community benefit agreement with the Jersey City Redevelopment Authority.  Jersey City assumes park ownership upon the anticipated completion in 2020.

“We have been committed to expanding the Jersey City parks and this is another step in that direction” said Mayor Fulop.  “Since we took office we have consistently said that there were many things that needed to change in Jersey City to lift the city to the next level including affordable housing, more investments away from the waterfront, better schools, safer streets, and more parks. We are making progress on all fronts”

The Coles Street Park design includes a stage for live music and other events, an enclosed playground, two separate dogs runs, as well as open green space with various landscaping and decorative lighting.

“We are extremely excited to commence the construction of Coles Street Park.  This Park is exactly what the residents of the neighborhood need and deserve,” said Manhattan Building Company President, Sandy Weiss.  “We are grateful to have a forward thinking administration that recognizes the need for preservation of open space, especially in an urban setting.”

The new park’s designation comes on the heels of the city’s commitment to various green initiatives, such as the widespread park improvements utilizing nearly $3 million in Open Space Trust funding based on community input.  Other efforts to bolster the park system includes the recent ordinance to form a Shade Tree Committee, an action that sets in motion plans for the planting and maintenance of hundreds of new trees citywide for beatification purposes as well as reducing storm water runoff, improving water retention, and to maintain biodiversity for the area.