Your input is needed at a public meeting hosted by Essex County on Monday, July 27, 2009, at the Senior Center building in the park at Conger Street at 7 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting is to present the County's plans for constructing a combination soccer/la cross field with artificial turf, lighting, seating, and partial fencing, in the section of Watsessing Park bordering Bloomfield Avenue between the Parkway and the area around the bandstand.

A second artificial turf field would be constructed in the central area within the boundaries of the running track in the section of the park between Glenwood Avenue and Cleveland Terrace.

Please come to the meeting and express your opinion about these plans. Thank you.

Holiday Park Decorations Dec. 8

Every year the Watsessing Heights Neighborhood Association and the Watsessing Park Conservancy join forces with the County to put up holiday decorations all around the fences of Watsessing Park.

This year's event will be held on Saturday, December 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Coffee and donuts/bagels will be provided for those who come early. Meet at the entrance of the park on Glenwood Avenue, at the foot of Maolis Avenue, by the bowling green.

Volunteers are needed, so we hope you can join us!

Sad News

Former President of the Watsessing Park Conservancy, Jane Myers, passed away on Tuesday, October 16th. She had battled multiple sclerosis for many years.

Jane was passionately dedicated to Watsessing Park and was a driving force in the creation of the Watsessing Park Conservancy. She served as its first president before she had to step down due to health issues. She also worked hand in hand with the county in getting the Watsessing Dog Park built as well as having the historic band stand restored in the park.

Jane was a supporting member of the Watsessing Heights Neighborhood Association from its early inception and made many valuable contributions to our neighborhood and the Township of Bloomfield. She will be sorely missed.

There will be a memorial service for her this Friday, October 19th at O’Boyle’s Funeral Home which is located at 309 Broad Street in Bloomfield, NJ.

You are invited to pay your respects from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. From 3:00 pm-4:00 pm there will be an opportunity to share your remembrances of Jane in an informal setting.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be sent to either the Watsessing Park Conservancy or the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Greater North Jersey. Both organizations are tax deductible 501(c)(3) organizations.

Concert in the Park on Tuesday, August 7

Tueday, August 7 is National Night Out and also the annual Concert in Watsessing Park, provided by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

This year's concert, Serenade Under the Stars, stars Lonnie Youngblood. Please come out and join your neighbors!

The concert will be held at the corner of Watsessing Park that borders Llewellyn Avenue and Cleveland Terrace and will start at 7 p.m.

Annual Summer Social in the Park - July 28

It's summer and it's time for the annual Summer Social in the Park, sponsored by our sister organization, the Watsessing Heights Neighborhood Association.

Bring your blanket or chairs, something to eat and something to drink, and join your neighbors in the park at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 28.

We'll be meeting at the "W" garden at the park entrance on Glenwood Avenue at the foot of Maolis Avenue. Hope to see you there!

Reminder! WHNA/WPC Theatre Night Saturday!

Just a reminder that this Saturday, May 19, is the anniversary gala at 12 Miles West.

If you haven't yet sent in your money, don't despair! There are tickets available, so just call us at 973-680-WHNA and reserve your tickets - you can pay at the door on Saturday night.

Don't forget to be there early - we are starting at 6:30 for a wine and cheese reception, followed at 8 p.m. by the play, Tales of an Urban Burb, which received excellent reviews in both the Star Ledger and the Montclair Times. Hope to see you there!

Thanks for a successful park cleanup!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Park Cleanup on May 5th, particularly Ralph and Tony from Essex County, the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, Coach Carter and his Bengals, and the Essex County Department of Corrections! And of course, neighbors like you!

In addition to cleaning up the litter in the park, we planted the "W" garden and the flower barrels at the entrances to the park, as well as the Island in the middle of Prospect and Glenwood Avenues.

Here are a couple of scenes from the event:


Volunteers planting the Island:

Planting the "W" garden