Army Base To Art Park: $1M Facelift At 'Hidden Gem' In Livingston

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Riker Hill Art Park used to be a missile base. It’s since been transformed into one of the “hidden gems” of Essex County.

Score one for the power of art.

On Monday, county officials announced that a major facelift at the Livingston park has been completed. The $1.1 million upgrades improve public access, address flooding concerns and enhance overall aesthetics, all issues raised during a public meeting with local officials and residents last October.

The county purchased the 42-acre U.S. Army Nike missile base from the federal government in 1974, converting the property into a park and that offers studio space for dozens of artists in residence.

“I was here when the park was first opened and today it looks nothing like it did then,” Riker Hill Artists Association Vice President Sue Sachs said. “We appreciate the drainage improvements and the other upgrades.”

Those improvements include:

• the installation of sidewalks and curbing, drainage systems to address flooding issues along the western section of the roadway
• the repair of stairways, making sure the artists' studios and the main exhibit building are handicap accessible
• creating a designated scenic overlook site that includes message boards that tell the history of the former missile base and park
• updating directional, parking and building signage
• updating the facades of the artists' studios
• creating a community garden that has some plots designed to allow people with disabilities the opportunity to garden

According to county officials:

“Suburban Consulting Engineers from Flanders was awarded a professional services contract for $56,515 to design the improvements. APS Contracting from Paterson was awarded a publicly-bid contract for $1,186,010 to perform the construction work. The project is being funded through the county's capital budget.”

Several public meetings were held throughout 2018 to hear public opinion and ideas about improving the park. Eventually, those meetings helped to shape the recent renovations, which local officials gave a big-thumbs up.

Livingston Mayor Al Anthony said the facelift looks “gorgeous.”

“The county came through to make improvements and now the art park is better than before,” Councilman Rudy Fernandez agreed.

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. called the park a “hidden gem” in the county system, and said the upgrades will encourage local residents to experience the natural beauty of the landscape and the creativity of the artists.

“A great deal of thought and public participation went into setting the priorities for this project,” DiVincenzo said. “It's evident improvements were needed at the art park and it became clear during the public hearings that the neighbors and residents were ready to see changes made. I thank the members of the [Livingston] Township Council for joining with us and supporting this process and the improvements.”

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