Work On Newark’s First Dog Park Begins At Branch Brook

NEWARK, NJ — Work on a huge, off-leash dog park at Essex County Branch Brook Park has officially begun, officials announced Friday.

“Today we are making history in the City of Newark because this is the first dog park created in Newark,” North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos said. “Dog parks are not just for dogs, they are also social gathering places for pet owners.”

According to county officials:

“The 30,000 square foot park will be located along the park roadway in the Northern Division of the park near the Parks Department Maintenance Facility. It is accessible from the Heller Parkway entrance to Branch Brook. The dog park will be divided into two sections: one for small dogs that is about 11,000 square feet and one for large dogs that is about 19,000 square feet. Both sections will have equipment on which the dogs can run and climb. Drainage at the site was improved and water fountains for humans and canines were installed. The entrance to the dog park consists of a double fence to prevent unleashed dogs from running way. A designated crosswalk will be created at the entrance to enhance safety for dog owners and their pets who park and cross the street. Trees were pruned and dead trees were removed; trash receptacles, dog bag dispensers, dog washing stations and park benches were installed.”

County officials said Mott MacDonald from Iselin was awarded a professional contract for $42,700 to design the Branch Brook Dog Park. Picerno Giordano from Kenilworth was awarded a public bid for $589,159 to perform the construction work.

The Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board awarded a grant to fund the project. Construction began in May and is scheduled to be completed by the end of July, officials said.

The Branch Brook Dog Park will be the fifth dog park in the Essex County Parks System. The Watsessing Dog Park in Bloomfield/East Orange opened in 2005. The South Mountain Dog Park in Maplewood/Millburn opened in 2006. The Brookdale Dog Park in Bloomfield/Montclair opened in 2007. The Hilltop Dog Park in North Caldwell opened in 2018. Every October, Essex County hosts popular Canine Costume Parades and Contests at the Brookdale, South Mountain and Hilltop Dog Parks.

“The development of the dog park transforms an underutilized area of the park into a vibrant location where community members and their canine pets can gather and socialize,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said. “We are happy to work with the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association, which came to us with the idea for a dog park in Branch Brook.”

“Pets are part of the family and this dog park will provide our residents' pets with a safe place to run and exercise while not on a leash,” Essex County Freeholder Robert Mercado agreed.

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