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View Larger Map Historic Paulus Hook Park slated for major renovation to serve community for recreation Monday, July 05, 2010 By MELISSA HAYES JOURNAL STAFF WRITER Shaded areas to sit, space for children to play, and eye-catching gardens are high on the wish-list for a redesigned Jersey City's Historic Paulus Hook Park, according to a survey conducted by the Historic Paulus Hook Neighborhood Association. The survey was conducted in February and March and 395 people responded, officials with the association said. On June 23, the City Council voted unanimously to have the park - located on all four corners of Washington and Grand streets in Downtown - redesigned by members of the association working with city officials. The new agreement would also allow the association to raise and donate funds to cover the cost of the new park. "In light of the economic challenges you're seeing more and more community groups take ownership and responsibility of different aspects of their neighborhood," said Ward E Councilman Steven Fulop, who sponsored the resolution. Stephanie Daniels, head of the Historic Paulus Hook Association's parks committee, said the group is drafting a request-for-proposal to hire a firm to do conceptual drawings of the park and hopefully ground will be broken next year. Daniels said the survey shows people want trees for shade, dedicated sitting or relaxing space, separate play areas for toddlers and older children, gardens accessible to the public, lawns, picnic space, and a historic element to the park. "The problem with this park right now is it's four exclusive corners," she said. "You don't have any idea that it's a park and you don't have any idea that it's a rich historic site." She said it was the park's rich history that inspired her to take on the renovation project. The park is the site of the Aug. 19, 1779 Battle of Paulus Hook. Light Horse Harry Lee led the battle and launched the attack on the British-controlled fort, which is now the site of the park. The association is working with the Jersey City School District to have the trailers behind School 16 removed from one of the park's four corners this summer. Daniels said the park - most of which has been gated shut since the 1980s - would be opened up under the new design. The city is offering its architect and Division of Parks and Forestry staff to help with the project. For more information about the effort and how to make a donation, visit http://paulushook.net. Quote: