 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Working with people to build healthy and prosperous communities.
Projects Accomplished:
Greening Union County Tree Program
*Midtown North Broad Street Train Station
*COOL Cities Initiative- kick off event June 2nd
*Elmora Hills Traffic Circle Improvement Project- May 18th, 2004
*Clean Communities Day- April
22nd, 2004
*Cool Cities Tree Planting Initiative
Current projects:
Clean Communities Earth Day Cleanup 2006
Restoration of Civil War Park
Ameri-Corp Visit
Extreme Block Makeover
Battin Middle School/Magic Fountain Traffic Triangle Beautification
1st Ward Beautification Project
Elizabeth Sea Port Cleanup
Green Team * SEEKS PARTICIPANTS
*Cool Cities Tree Planting Phase II
*Elizabeth River Trail Project
*Elizabeth River Trail Project:
Groundwork Elizabeth is working with the City of Elizabeth , Union County , the State of N.J. , the Federal Government, and community groups in the City to design and construct a river trail along the banks of the Elizabeth River . This trail will connect sections of the City and afford transportation and recreational activities to those within Elizabeth . The Transportation Equity Act, passed by Congress on July 29 th, 2005 , holds a funded earmark for the first $400,000 for this project.
River Awareness Day was held on Saturday, June 18 th, 2005 . Over 80 volunteers from non-profit and private organizations joined forces with the City of Elizabeth, Union County, and Groundwork Elizabeth in an event that featured cleaning, planting, and an education session. Tom’s of Maine , a manufacturer of natural health products, demonstrated its commitment to saving America ’s troubled rivers, and together with the National Park Foundation allocated funds through Groundwork Elizabeth in order to hold the event.
*Cool Cities, Phase II:
In the Autumn of 2004, 350 trees were planted in the Peterstown Section of the City. This Autumn, an additional 1150 trees are due to be planted in the Northern section of the City of Elizabeth . The purpose of the Cool Cities Program, a joint effort between the State of N.J. Department of Environmental Protection, the City of Elizabeth, Groundwork Elizabeth, and funded by the Board of Public Utilities, is to reduce energy consumption in urban “hot spots”.
*Cool Cities Tree Planting Initiative
Mayor Chris Bollwage, the City of
COOL Cities Initiative: On June 2nd, a kick-off event will take place announcing Elizabeth, New Jersey's selection for the State of NJ's COOL Cities Initiative. There will be a small planting event to announce the City's receipt of over 1500 trees. The remaining trees will be planted in the City in the fall of 2004. Groundwork Elizabeth was instrumental in the selection of Elizabeth for this project.
Midtown Train Station: A revitalization of the traffic triangle is planned for the area near the Midtown Train station. With the assistance of the internationally known landscape architect Ping Parlilio, a colorful and diverse planting scheme is planned for the area.
*New Jersey Department of Transportation Wilson Park Improvements:
The State of New Jersey ’s Department of Transportation “Transportation Enhancement Program” has partnered with the City of Elizabeth with help from Groundwork Elizabeth and is undertaking new paths, signage, and landscaping in Wilson Park, a gateway park located on the Newark-Elizabeth border.
*Elmora Hills Traffic
Triangle Improvement Project- May 18th, 2004:
Elmora Hills was at one time the bedroom suburb for City of Elizabeth. Its
character has changed over the years. In order to breathe vitality back into
the community, and involve citizens in regenerative work, Groundwork Elizabeth
is using the traffic triangle improvement project to rejuvenate this communities
spirits. The traffic triangle, previously paved over, was brought back to
life with fresh landscaping through work by the community, Master Gardeners,
and Groundwork Elizabeth. There are other traffic parks in dire need of restoration,
including:
*North Broad Street Train pocket and
* Lidgerwood/Washington Avenue traffic triangle.
*Arbor Day- April 29th, 2004:
Battin Junior High School has been approached and is working with Groundwork
Elizabeth to teach children about Urban Environmental Regeneration. The children
will participate in the reconstruction of the Train pocket, which is currently
a few unkempt bushes, a tree, and many weeds. The children will help by possibly
planting some of the new flowers and trees, which are part of a design from
a local landscaper.
*Clean Communities Day- April 22nd, 2004:
Lidgerwood/Washington Ave. sits at the junction of two busy streets. It has
served as a cut-through point for schoolchildren over the years. Currently
the City of Elizabeth is cleaning the area. Its remediation will be in the
form of a small park, with a pathway to be built permanently where currently
there is only a dirt path. The schoolchildren and other Community citizens
will be brought into this project, and it will be transformed from a lifeless
lot into a small place of beauty.
Appletree Village: Nestled in a Brownfield area, contingent to a site where 15 new two family homes are going to be build, lies a 1500 square foot lot, too small to be a building site. This area was first recognized as the potential site for a Pocket Park to be established. The residents of this area will be asked to join Groundwork, landscapers, and Community leaders in order to design a park which will meet the needs of the community, while adding beauty to the largely urban landscape. This project is being tasked out now and will most likely be completed in the second half of 2004.
Appletree Park will, through its involvement of the local residents and community leaders, serve to revitalize a brownfield site with a project too small to be done by local or state governmental agencies. Without Groundwork, this lot would remain a hazard for the residents who live nearby.
The continued planting of hundreds of trees are a direct result of Union County Freeholder Chairman Angel G. Estrada’s “
River Awareness Day was held on Saturday, June 18 th, 2005 . Over 80 volunteers from non-profit and private organizations joined forces with the City of Elizabeth, Union County, and Groundwork Elizabeth in an event that featured cleaning, planting, and an education session. Tom’s of Maine , a manufacturer of natural health products, demonstrated its commitment to saving America ’s troubled rivers, and together with the National Park Foundation allocated funds through Groundwork Elizabeth in order to hold the event.
Mayor Chris Bollwage, an ardent supporter of Groundwork Elizabeth, and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski attended and spoke at a lunchtime ceremony. Brounell Kramer Management Company and the Elizabeth Truck Center pledged their company resources. Co-President Robin Lospinoso presented Certificates of Appreciation to the various groups who participated in the event. Hundreds of bags of trash were collected, native trees were reintroduced into the Olmstead designed County Park, and a session on tree planting and volunteerism was held.
*Elizabeth River Clean-up Day:
Groundwork Elizabeth elicited the help of the City of Elizabeth , Union County , and a dozen non-profit and private sector organizations in a first Annual Elizabeth River Cleanup Day, held on Oct. 16, 2004 . All volunteers were presented with a box lunch courtesy of Michelino’s Restaurant, and an event day T-shirt, which proudly listed the sponsors of the event, Tom’s of Maine Natural Products and the National Park Foundation, on the back of the shirt. The 130 plus volunteers represented a great variety of educational, civic, and religious organizations. Hundreds of bags of riverbank trash were collected during the 3 hour cleanup.
