It’s official! Dundee Island Park in Passaic is finally open to the public! After a year of construction, the park officially reopened on Oct. 28.

According to PassaicCountyNJ.org, Dundee Island Park’s reopening was a $12 million project funded by the Passaic County Open Space, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, Passaic County Capital Budget, and a $5 million grant from the NJDEP Office of Natural Resource Restoration Newark Bay Complex Grant. It is the County’s first riverfront park and first addition to the Passaic County Park System in 50 years.

The park has two phases that are underway. The park is currently under Phase 1, which is to develop a riverfront park along the Passaic River. Phase 2 is to refurbish the abandoned freight rail bridge into a pedestrian greenway into Garfield and incorporate North Pulaski Park into Dundee Island Park, connecting Dundee Island Park and Pulaski Park into one recreational facility.

The new park will include the following:

• Elevated field house with a concession and restroom facilities
• Refurbished soccer field
• Playground and spray park 
• Fitness and exercise equipment area
• Community garden
• Boat launch
• River walk and landscaped improvements to the riparian area, including native planting
• Ornamental security lighting throughout the entire park
• Art and place making features, including a sculpture designed by a local artist
• Amphitheater

Check out the PHOTO GALLERY, above, and let us know what you think! Email questions and comments to Mr. Schmerler at [email protected]