23 Apr ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES ESSEX COUNTY PARKS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AFTER RESTORATION AND MODERNIZATION Building Receives Comprehensive Update and has Historic Elements Preserved
Published on April 23, 2026
Newark, NJ – On Thursday, April 23rd, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated the Essex County Parks Administration Building in Newark after it underwent an almost $12 million renovation and restoration. The project included preserving the building’s historical features on the exterior and within the Director’s Office and Archives Office, and modernizing other office and work areas.
“The building at 115 Clifton Avenue in Newark has been the epicenter of the administration of and planning for our historic Parks System for more than a century. After more than a century of service, the building was showing signs of regular wear and tear and needed to be updated to provide staff and visitors with up-to-date working conditions,” DiVincenzo said. “Just as we have continued to modernize our parks and recreation facilities, it was time our Parks Administration Building received its own facelift,” he added.
“How can I thank Joe enough. This building has been the bricks and mortar of the Parks System but the best part of this is the people who work inside. This is a great transformation, helping to keep historical elements of the building but also create a modern working environment on the inside,” Parks Director Dan Salvante said.
“The renovation of the Parks Building shows how vibrant historical buildings can become when we take the time to restore them. We have taken something beautiful and made it better than ever,” Senate Majority Leader and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said. “This upgrade is for the people who are there to provide service to the people every day. Look at how beautiful this is and how much better the workspace is,” Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin said.
“A great team overcame many challenges to get this job done. It was not easy, but this was something we needed to do to help preserve the building and to create modern spaces for our employees to work,” said Commissioner President Carlos Pomares, who was joined by Commissioners Brendan Gill, Wayne Ricardson and Len Luciano.
“The Sheriff’s Office and the Parks Department work hand in hand and we are grateful for the renovated space being provided to our staff in this building. This restoration matters because it is helping people get the job done more efficiently,” Sheriff Amir Jones said.
“You don’t see many government buildings like this today. This is a tribute to the history of our Parks System and the people who work here,” Newark North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos said.
The project included upgrading the roof, doors and windows; HVAC system; electrical system; elevators; and phone and information technology systems. On the first floor, a more user-friendly office design with a waiting area for the permit division was created along with museum space. Historical features on the exterior of the building and in Director’s Office and Archives Office were repaired and preserved. Lighting around the exterior of the building was enhanced. Renovations also were made to the garden and parking areas. Signage, wayfinding signs and landscaping were added as well.
The Parks Administration Building opened in 1916 and has continuously served as the headquarters of the Essex County Parks Department (previously the Essex County Parks Commission). Because the building is registered as a national historic site, the renovations were conducted in compliance with the requirements of the NJ State Historic Preservation guidelines.
PS&S from Warren was awarded a professional services contract for $643,000 to design the improvements to the Parks Administration Building. Tsivicos Enterprises from Neptune City completed the project after the original contractor was unable to. The project was funded with a $5 million grant from the NJ Department of Community Affairs and a $5.8 million grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund. ($800,000 of the Trust Fund grant will be provided up front; $5 million of the grant will be provided over three years.) The project was started in May 2023.
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