04 Jun ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PLANS TO MODERNIZE SOFTBALL FIELDS IN ESSEX COUNTY IRVINGTON PARK
Published on June 4, 2026
Irvington, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced plans to modernize the two softball fields in Essex County Irvington Park on Wednesday, June 3rd. Synthetic infield playing surfaces will be installed on both fields while the outfield areas will remain as natural grass. It is part of the County Executive’s ongoing initiative to revitalize the Essex County Parks System and provide modern athletic facilities that meet the recreation needs of the community.
“Our athletic fields are heavily utilized by schools, recreation programs and athletic organizations. Making these upgrades will help us maximize use of the facility, reduce maintenance and get young athletes back on the field sooner after it rains,” DiVincenzo said.
“We do these groundbreakings pretty regularly in Essex County. This is an aggressive schedule, and we are pleased to be bringing these improvements to Irvington,” Commissioner President Carlos Pomares said.
“Recreation and parks help bring communities together, so I am proud that the County Executive is giving Irvington Park this attention,” State Senator Renee Burgess said.
“Our relationship with Essex County is exemplary and it is one of the reasons why we have been so successful in Irvington,” Irvington Business Manager Musa Malik said.
“We have sincere gratitude to County Executive DiVincenzo for making this investment in the fields where our team plays. This will have a lasting impact on our softball program and demonstrates to our players that their hard work is appreciated,” said Jenna Weiss, Head Coach of the Irvington High School Softball Team.
The softball fields in Irvington Park are two of the last remaining softball/baseball fields in the Essex County Parks System to have all-dirt infields. DiVincenzo has made a concerted effort to modernize all baseball and softball fields with synthetic playing surfaces because they are easier to maintain and there is less wear and tear. Also, the fields can be used sooner after it rains. In recent years, DiVincenzo has spearheaded an initiative to change just the infields and keep natural grass in the outfields. This has been done in Brookdale Park, Yanticaw Park and Belleville Park.
In addition to the synthetic surfaces on the infields, the softball fields in Irvington Park will receive a new drainage and irrigation system, backstop and sideline fencing, player benches and covered dugouts, spectator seating, landscaping, pathway repairs and new trash receptacles and pathway benches. Also included in the project is the installation of sports lighting on the adjacent soccer field.
A professional services contract for $129,350 was awarded to French and Parello from Wall to design the field improvements. A publicly bid contract for $2,221,746 was awarded to Thomas and Sons Builders LLC from Hackensack to perform the construction work. The project is being funded with a grant from the NJ Green Acres program. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.
Revitalizing Essex County Irvington Park
In 2024, the new Bilal Beasley Community Center was opened, the tennis courts were resurfaced and pickleball courts were added. In 2023, the soccer field was resurfaced with a new synthetic grass playing surface. In 2017, the basketball courts and walking track were updated and lighting along the walking paths was installed. In 2016, the old field house was renovated and renamed as the D. Bilal Beasley Community Center, in memory of the late Freeholder and Irvington Councilman. In 2011, a synthetic grass surface soccer field was installed and three entrances to the park were upgraded. In 2006, a two-story, 2,100-square-foot addition was constructed onto the community center to create more space for the public to meet, storage space and public restrooms. In 2004, the tennis courts, walking track, basketball courts, tennis courts, softball fields and three park entrances were upgraded. In 2003, a rubberized safety surface was installed in the Irvington Park playground and lighting was improved. Essex County has partnered with the Irvington Park Conservancy to obtain funding from the New Jersey Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, six off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Irvington Park is 24.38 acres and is the 12th largest park in the Essex County system. Land for the park was purchased in 1906 and improvements to the site were completed in 1913.
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