NEWARK, NJ — Essex County officials have announced plans to carry out a $1 million "modernization" at Vailsburg Park in Newark. According to a county news release, renovations will take place at the park's playground, basketball court and restroom building.

"The second project includes modernizing the basketball court and renovating the restroom building. The basketball court will be resurfaced and receive new backboards and surface coating. It was last upgraded in 2007, and the playing surface is showing signs of aging. The restroom building has been closed for several years and will be renovated with new fixtures, flooring, ceiling, electrical and HVAC systems, and windows and doors. In addition to the restrooms, space will be converted into locker rooms for school teams that use the fields."

PS&S Integrated Services from Newark was awarded a $47,350 professional services contract to design the new playground. Picerno-Giordano Construction from Kenilworth was awarded a publicly bid contract for $1,071,261 to build the playground. SM Design and Consulting from Glen Ridge was awarded a professional services contract for $83,850 to design the basketball court and building upgrades. The construction contract for the basketball courts and building will be presented to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders for review at their May 4 meeting.

The playground project is funded through the Essex County Capital Budget and with a grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund, officials stated.