New Features At Lambertville Park To Be Completed In July

LAMBERTVILLE, NJ — New features at Lambertville's Ely Park are on track to debut next month.

Construction is currently underway on a new fence and façade – the latest phase in improving the park’s appearance and safety. Construction on a decorative brick and powder-coated steel fence, which will run along North Main Street from just below the Lambertville Public School playground to the city’s football field at Jefferson Street, is expected to be completed by mid-July

The legacy project — the brainchild of the late local designer and restaurateur Jim Hamilton — has been in the works for a decade. The city of Lambertville allocated $410,000 to the project. Private fundraising efforts by the Friends of Ely Park are ongoing.

“We’re excited to see momentum build, and fortunately all is consistent with the results of the survey we put out recently,” said Friends of Ely Park President Jim Mastrich. “We surveyed residents over the past two years, heard what was important to them, and are addressing safety issues as well as making the park a more welcoming, child-friendly community space.”

Top priority for residents was the beautification of the park and the desire to see the space utilized for community events such as farmer’s markets, holiday events and concerts.

“In addition to the fence, we’re wrapping up external improvements to the Snack Shack,” said Mastrich. Famed local muralist Illia Barger has been tapped to create art on the façade of the Snack Shack. “The goal is to make it both safer and more attractive to park visitors and passersby,” he said.

Original plans called for a fountain and water feature dedicated to Hamilton. But now, the board said it plans to partner with the Delaware River Towns Chamber of Commerce to create a $50,000 endowment fund in Hamilton's name with the purpose of awarding annual scholarships to area high school juniors.

Scholarships will help support students' interest in the arts, whether it be culinary, performance or visual. These scholarships would be awarded in conjunction with the chamber’s annual Shad Festival Scholarship, which is also in Hamilton’s name.

In addition, wood from a centuries-old London Planetree that once grew in the park is being cured by Niece Lumber.

"The plan is to offer the lumber to local carpenters and artisans to craft one-of-a-kind furniture, which will be auctioned or offered for sale, with the proceeds added to the Hamilton scholarship fund," according to information from the Friends of Ely Park.

“Our hope is that Ely Park will become the centerpiece of the community that Jim Hamilton envisioned, and a destination for tons of family-oriented recreation and enjoyment,” Mastrich said.

Click here for more information on the project.