FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 1, 2023

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NEWLY RENOVATED SPORTS COURTS OPEN AT SAMUEL NELKIN COUNTY PARK

Above – Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III, Bergen County Commissioners Steven Tanelli and Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Parks Director James Koth and Deputy Director Ron Subramaniam, joined by East Rutherford Councilmembers George Cronk, Michael Lorusso, Ed Ravettine, and Wallington Councilmember Khaldoun Androwis, and County parks sports court design/construction team cut the ribbon in front of Wood Dale County Park’s brand-new tennis courts

(WALLINGTON, NJ) – Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Bergen County Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen County Parks Department announce the renovation completion and grand opening of new sports courts at Samuel Nelkin County Park in Wallington. Over the past two months the County Parks Department worked to resurface two tennis courts and a full-size basketball court, while also adding three pickleball courts to the park. All three recreational amenities feature lights to allow for extended play past dusk.

Samuel Nelkin County Park is now the fourth park in the Bergen County Parks System to feature the rapidly growing sport of pickleball among its amenities after Overpeck, Wood Dale, and Riverside County Parks. The upgrades cost a total of $1.5 million and received funding from the County’s Open Space Trust Fund and the Bergen County Parks Department capital improvement fund.

“The revitalized Samuel Nelkin County Park sports courts are a testament to my administration’s commitment to enhancing recreational opportunities for the enjoyment of Bergen County residents by ensuring they have access to modern, well-maintained facilities that encourage active and healthy lifestyles,” said County Executive Jim Tedesco. “These new facilities, which are coming to parks across the County, are a source of pride for our community, fostering physical fitness and overall well-being.”

“We are committed to ensuring that Bergen County residents have access to open space and opportunities for outdoor recreation, including tennis, basketball courts, and pickleball,” said Bergen County Commissioner and Parks Liaison Steve Tanelli. “We will continue to upgrade our parks facilities in accordance with the 2019 County Parks Master Plan and strive for all our residents to have access to recreation they enjoy.” 

The completion of the Samuel Nelkin County Park sport courts is part of a larger initiative to upgrade amenities across the Bergen County Parks System as outlined in County Executive Tedesco’s 2023 State of the County Address and the 2019 County Parks Master Plan. The new courts were designed by Neglia Engineering and constructed by Zenith Construction Services.

Construction is currently underway in the Rochelle Park section of Saddle River County Park to replace all sports courts which will feature basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts. These renovations are expected to be complete by the end of 2023. The County Parks Department will continue its efforts upgrade sports facilities in 2024 with further renovations set to take place at Van Saun County Park, Pascack Brook County Park, and the Dunkerhook and Glen Rock sections of Saddle River County Park.

Samuel Nelkin County Park is named for former Wallington Mayor and NJ Transit President Samuel Nelkin who deeded the 17-acre property to the Bergen County Parks Commission in 1954 to create Wallington County Park. The park was renamed in Nelkin’s honor 25 years later in 1979.

Photo Attachments:

Above – new basketball court

Above – three new pickleball courts

Above – one of two new tennis courts at Samuel Nelkin County Parks

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