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A five-acre stretch of former industrial land along the Passaic River has been transformed into a 5-acre park in East Newark.

The borough and BASF held the official opening of East Newark Riverfront Park on May 9 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the end of a multi-year restoration effort.

The park features a 1,000-foot boardwalk, an amphitheater, open recreational space, water fountains, restrooms, picnic tables, a playground, a great lawn, and a large shade structure.

“This transformation from a legacy industrial site into a vibrant, sustainable public space underscores BASF’s commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and long-term impact,” said Heather Remley, president and CEO of BASF Corporation.

The project resulted from collaboration between BASF, federal natural resource trustees, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Borough of East Newark, with support from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Officials highlighted the project’s innovative approach to restoration, which delivered environmental and community benefits nearly a decade faster than traditional processes.

“Ensuring that every New Jersey resident has access to safe, welcoming green space is a priority for our administration,” said Governor Phil Murphy at the event, according to a press release. “Green public spaces not only restore and enhance vital natural areas, but they also strengthen community connections.”

The park was designed with sustainability as a core principle, incorporating eco-friendly materials, native landscaping, and features that promote biodiversity.

“This park is not just a space; it’s a testament to the strength and unity of our residents and partners,” East Newark Mayor Dina Grilo said. “We have built something that will benefit generations to come.”

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Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.

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The Borough Council of East Newark will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on June 11 to consider final passage of a $2 million bond ordinance regarding lead service line replacement.

The public meeting will take place in the council chambers at the Municipal Building, located at 34 Sherman Ave.

The bond ordinance authorizes the undertaking of Phase III of the borough-wide lead service line replacement project for the Water Utility of East Newark.

The ordinance proposes appropriating $2 million to cover the costs of this phase of the project.

Bonds and bond anticipation notes totaling $2 million will be issued to finance the appropriation.

The ordinance includes $250,000 in Section 20 costs and specifies a useful life of 30 years for the improvements.

No grants have been appropriated for this project.

Copies of the full ordinance are available at no cost during regular business hours at the Borough Clerk’s office for any members of the public who wish to review it prior to the hearing.

For more information visit https://www.boroughofeastnewark.com/News/View/2404/notice-of-public-hearing-on-bond-ordinance-11-2025

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Submit Hudson County community news to hudson@njadvancemedia.com. Questions about this post may be directed to Linda O’Brien at lobrien@njadvancemedia.com or Stephanie Loder sloder@njadvancemedia.com.

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Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.

A true transformation, East Newark’s brand new Riverside Park opened with much fanfare this week from the scar of an old factory site.

Engineers created five acres of passive greenspace, including a playground and a 1,000-foot boardwalk along the Passaic River. It’s the only park in a tiny borough with a heavy industrial legacy and not much greenery.

“It’s really about environmental justice and the opportunity to breathe in healthy spaces,” said state Sen. Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex).

Added East Newark Mayor Dina Grilo: “To my borough residents: We are the guardians of this great gift. Let’s make the most of it.”

Riverside Park is more than just a park. It’s a prototype, officials said, a new model to speed up benefits for communities that have been harmed by toxic Superfund sites like Newark’s Diamond Alkali plant. The plant dumped deadly dioxin into the Passaic River, and mercury pollution in nearby Berry’s Creek. About 100 companies share potential liability for cleanup, and one of them –BASF — offered to help build Riverside Park in exchange for future credit.

“BASF helped pioneer a new model for this type of work, one that prioritizes early community benefits while meeting the goals of trustees,” said BASF CEO Heather Remley.

Of course, the park won’t remedy pollution problems along the Passaic. The river remains a toxic site that’ll require a massive $1.8 billion dredge-and-cap cleanup project spanning years. Meanwhile, legal disputes continue, over who owes what and how much.

State Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette praised BASF for its proactive approach, which also earned the company a $73 million credit towards any alleged liability.

Federal officials involved in the project said they hope it sets a new standard for other sites, but that’s uncertain in the current climate. No officials from the Trump administration attended this event.

“Because of the views of the current administration — in contrast to the Biden administration — there was no federal presence whatsoever on that podium,” said attorney Mark Barash.

The U.S. Department of the Interior did not respond to a request for comment. Riverside Park will remain under stewardship for 30 years as a rest stop for birds, a garden for native plants, and a gathering place for families. The park is open to the public.

BASF and the Borough of East Newark Friday marked the official opening of the East Newark Riverfront Park, a 5-acre green space developed on a former industrial site along the Passaic River.

The ceremony celebrated the culmination of a multi-year effort with federal natural resource trustees to restore and transform the property. The park features a 1,000-foot boardwalk, an amphitheater, and space for walking, gathering, and hands-on learning.

The project was led by BASF in coordination with the U.S. Department of Interior, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Borough of East Newark – with support from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

“The opening of the East Newark Riverfront Park represents the best of what public private collaboration can achieve,” said Heather Remley, president and CEO of BASF Corp. “This transformation from a legacy industrial site into a vibrant, sustainable public space underscores BASF’s commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and long-term impact.”

The park is the result of a new model for expedited restoration, developed through a collaboration between BASF and the federal natural-resource trustees. East Newark is a successful example of this model, delivering environmental and community benefits faster than traditional processes would typically allow.

The park also aligns with 15 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, incorporates eco-friendly materials, native landscaping, and design elements that promote biodiversity and environmental resilience.

In addition to the boardwalk and amphitheater, the new park includes water fountains, restrooms, picnic tables, a playground, a great lawn and a large shade structure.

Dina Grilo, mayor of East Newark, said the opening of the park “marks a milestone for our community – a day when vision, hard work, and collaboration have come together to create something truly special… We have built something that will benefit generations to come.”

BASF Corp., based in Florham Park, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, a Ludwigshafen, Germany-based chemical company.