More than $4.8 million in improvements to Essex County Independence Park in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood have been completed, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. announced on Friday. The work included modernization of three existing athletic fields with new synthetic playing surfaces, creation of one new soccer field and various site enhancements.
“Even though Independence Park is one of the smallest parks in our system, it is one of the most heavily used,” said DiVincenzo. “Because of the density of the population and development in Newark’s Ironbound, this park literally is the backyard for our residents.”
The upgrades are part of DiVincenzo’s ongoing initiative to provide modern recreation facilities throughout the county park system. Over the past year, Independence Park has seen the addition of four new fields and the Sheriff Armando and Mary Fontoura Community Center…