Essex County Parks System to get its sixth dog park

A restroom will be renovated and a dog park created in Vailsburg Park.

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. announced plans to create the dog park and renovate the restroom on April 14.

The dog park will be the sixth in the Essex County Parks System and the improvements are part of the County Executive’s ongoing initiative to revitalize the Essex County Parks System and update facilities to meet the changing needs of the community, according to a press release from the county.

“Members of the community came to us with the request to include a dog park and renovate the playground restroom building in Vailsburg Park,” DiVincenzo said. “The development of the dog park transforms an underutilized section of the park into a vibrant location where community members and their canine pets can gather and socialize. And the modernization of the restroom building will make it more convenient for parents and their young children to enjoy the playground.”

The dog park will be located in the western section of the park. It will be about 24,000 square feet in size and have separate fenced-in areas for small and large dogs. The large dog area is about 13,000 square feet and the small dog area is about 11,000 square feet. The dog park will have a gated decorative entrance, agility apparatus and water fountains designed for dogs, benches, garbage cans and an information kiosk. Landscaping will be enhanced, trees will be pruned, and new pathways, sidewalks and curbing will be installed in the area.

“We all realize how important our parks are for our residents and their pets. This facility will provide dog owners with a place for the canine members of their family with a place to run and play and not be on a leash,” Commissioner Len Luciano said.

The Vailsburg Dog Park is the sixth in the Essex

County Parks System. The Watsessing Dog Park in Bloomfield/East Orange opened in 2005. The South Mountain Dog Park in Maplewood/Millburn opened in 2006. The Brookdale Dog Park in Bloomfield/Montclair opened in 2007. The Hilltop Dog Park in North Caldwell opened in 2018. The Branch Brook Dog Park in Newark Opened in 2019.

“I applaud what Joe D. has done for Vailsburg Park. I know the dog park will be a big hit and I appreciate the renovations to the restroom building. I look forward to working with Joe on even more things to make this park better,” said Pam McElveen of the Palm Street Block Association in Newark.

The existing restroom building adjacent to the children’s playground will be renovated with modern fixtures.