Green Jersey

Parking garage to park

A parking garage behind the Essex County government complex in Newark is going to come down, and a park will be put up in its place, according to county officials.

The $4 million, 2.7-acre park would be Essex County’s first new park in 80 years.

On Wednesday, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo announced the project with Gov. Corzine. The park, called Essex County Veterans Memorial Park, to honor all military veterans, is to open next fall. Work to demolish the garage, on Howard St., has already begun.

Essex County is funding the demolition through its capital budget, says the Star-Ledger; other funding was provided by the DEP ($1.5 million Green Acres grant) and Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund ($1.5 million matching grant).

More: A tree (lots of them) grows in Newark (Star-Ledger)