By: Najla Alexander
Bloomfield Township officials reported that Mayor Michael Venezia and the Township of Bloomfield are pleased to announce an upcoming virtual community discussion via Zoom to discuss the lighting design for Lion’s Gate Park.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 8, at 7:30 p.m., and all residents are invited to attend.
According to Bloomfield officials, during this interactive Zoom session, attendees will have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow residents and community members to gain insights into the proposed lighting plan, share their perspectives and feedback, and address any concerns.
To access the meeting, please use the following link: https://tinyurl.com/Liongate-Light-Discussion.
The Bloomfield Lion’s Gate Park was formerly the location of a dye factory and thermometer manufacturer, and the ground was contaminated with dangerous chemicals left behind by its former tenants, officials told RLS Media.
Officials said the site lay dormant and was an eyesore for several decades until a team of environmental advocates, local leaders, and architects worked to implement the Lion Gate Park and Urban Wetland Floodplain Creation project.
“As we move closer to the completion of Lion’s Gate Park, it is crucial we involve our community members in the decision-making processes,” said Mayor Venezia.
“This virtual discussion provides our residents with the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns and ensure the park reflects the needs of our community.”
RLS Media has learned the new 18-acre park includes recreational facilities, a freshwater wetlands complex, and a fieldhouse and serves as a safe space for recreation, in which a turf soccer field has become a destination for Bloomfield’s booming soccer program and residents alike.
Bloomfield officials said Lion Gate Park is located on the Third River (an urban flood-prone tributary to the Passaic River) and incorporates over four acres of freshwater wetland to reestablish the original floodplain and hold up to 10 million gallons of flood surge during storms.
The land’s capacity for absorption helps to prevent some of the flooding which often occurs due to storms, and the cleanup of the area has contributed to cleaner water entering the adjacent Passaic River, officials say.
Additionally, because the Passaic River is a superfund-designated waterway, the interventions made at Lion Gate Park have helped to reduce the toxicity of the river, serving as a model for other New Jersey townships with tributaries to toxic rivers that has the potential to serve dozens if not hundreds of New Jersey municipalities facing similar challenges.
If residents interested in attending have any questions about the meeting, they are encouraged to contact the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department at (973) 743-9074 or visit the Bloomfield Township website at www.bloomfieldtwpnj.com.