Army Base To Livingston Art Park: Riker Hill Getting $1M Facelift

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A former U.S. Army Nike Missile Base in Livingston will continue its transformation into a respite for local artists thanks to a $1.1 million improvement plan announced last week.

On May 15, the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously approved a $1,186,010 bid from APS Contracting Inc., to make improvements to Riker Hill Park in Livingston.

According to a joint statement from the freeholders, the facelift will include refurbishments to several areas of the park, with a focus on the Riker Hill Art Park, a converted Army facility that now provides studio space for dozens of artists.

The county purchased the 204-acre Riker Hill Park complex through the state Green Acres program in 1969.

Planned work across the park includes:

• new concrete sidewalks and curbs
• soil erosion and sediment control
• building concrete stairs and hand rails
• facade treatments
• ensuring that the park is ADA-compliant
• installing new signage in and around the park

Livingston Mayor Al Anthony said the improvements are “much-needed” and will bring hours of entertainment and recreation to the area. He also thanked Livingston resident and Freeholder Pat Sebold for taking on an active role in the project.

Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill said that it’s a “good thing” when officials can help preserve a historic site like Riker Hill Art Park.

“As a longtime advocate of enhancing our open space areas, I was happy to move this process along and ensure that the park remains a beautiful site for all to enjoy,” Gill said.

• See related article: Facelift Planned For Army Base-Turned Art Park In Livingston
• See related article: Flooding, Safety Among Chief Improvements At Livingston Art Park

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