NJRPA Award-Winning Project (2024)

Award Description: The purpose of the NJRPA Awards Program is to honor and identify dedicated leaders, employees, and volunteers in the field of Parks and Recreation, and to recognize the State’s outstanding Recreation and Park agencies for excellence in programming, publicity and facility design. The goal of the Awards Program is to focus State attention on the achievement of Park and Recreation agencies, to recognize the continuing efforts of staff and volunteers, and to acknowledge support extended by member agencies.

Project Overview: The City of Newark’s Chamblee Square Park project provides an inclusive and accessible recreational space for a neighborhood that previously lacked playgrounds within a ten-minute walk of the site. The City designed a new park featuring vibrant colors and inviting play elements, as the existing park offered limited options for play and social gathering. Community feedback highlighted the need for a space that would foster social connections and promote health and wellness. This project was initiated to address these needs, transforming an outdated park area into a dynamic environment equipped with diverse play structures, fitness areas, and water features, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all community members.

The project faced several challenges, including the limited size of the park, which constrained the placement of play equipment. To optimize the layout, the design team collaborated closely to ensure functionality and accessibility. New drainage systems and utilities needed to be designed and integrated from scratch, requiring thorough planning with consultants. Additionally, restricted working space impacted construction staging, but careful communication helped mitigate these issues. The existing concrete retaining wall posed a challenge for maintaining consistent basketball court grades, yet the design team found effective strategies to accommodate this. Finally, all new walkways were designed to be step-free and ADA-compliant, enhancing accessibility for the entire community. Through proactive management, the project team successfully created a welcoming and functional recreational space.

 Check out our project video below to learn more!