Greenwich park getting a makeover

GREENWICH Last summer, Greenwich's Memorial Park served as a catchall for locals as the finishing point of the town's annual Christmas in July Independence Day parade. After participating in the event, representatives from the Paulsboro Refining Co. thought the park along Broad Street and Memorial Avenue could use a little sprucing up.

After committing to a $30,000 donation and seeking help from a local landscaper, Paulsboro Refining officially broke ground Friday to start the improvement project.

The park will host another community-wide holiday event in December, when the annual holiday tree lighting moves from Town Hall to Memorial Park.

"It's a really nice space. There's a gazebo in the middle of the park and a walking path, but not much else," Mark Wilgus, spokesman for Paulsboro Refining, said.

A twinkling holiday tree will not be the only new addition to the space. Paulsboro Refining workers will donate their labor for projects including installing solar lighting around the walking path, putting in four Frisbee golf holes, and restoring park benches. They will also work with Platt's Market, a landscaping company from Clarksboro, to plant trees, shrubs, and other native flora.

From the solar lights and benches made from recycled wood to the indigenous trees, Greenwich Mayor George W. Shivery emphasized, "It's all going to be eco-friendly."

Mature trees to be planted throughout the next several months will "give some depth to a space that now looks kind of empty," Wilgus said.

Some willow trees were planted last month; others, including maples and oaks, will be put in depending on ideal planting times. After a winter hiatus, the planting will continue in early spring.

Bob Waller, landscape coordinator at Platt's, said that once the project is finished, he hopes to see more school involvement on the 32-acre property, where students can engage in activities such as learning about local plant life and building rain barrels.

"It's a hidden gem," Waller said. "I think it's going to be a popular venue once they see the improvements that are made."

Shivery said all the renovations should be finished by early summer. "It's going to be a really nice park in the center of town," he said.

- Brielle Urciuoli