THE SPIRIT OF Summer 2021 GOLF IN ESSEX COUNTY! Hendricks Field Golf Course Renovation to be Completed by Summer 2021 PAGE 74 PAGE 105 PAGE 1120 PAGE 2212 Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. EX COUN S TY Essex County Executive ES and the Board of County Commissioners Daniel K. Salvante DERBY Director of Parks, Recreation 2021 and Cultural Affairs PUTTINGPUTTING ESSEX ESSEX COUNTY COUNTY FIRST FIRST COMPLIMENTARY ISSUE COMPLIMENTARY ISSUE Historic Dear Friend, During this worldwide pandemic, we learned just how important our open Hendricks spaces are and how closely they influence our quality of life. During the last 14 months, we watched as the usage in our parks and reservations skyrocketed. With restaurants, museums, libraries, concert halls, movie theaters and other en- Field Golf tertainment venues closed, the public turned to the green meadows, hiking trails and spectacular vistas to occupy their time, spend extra energy and escape the anxiety and uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus. Course Now that warmer temperatures are returning, we invite you back to our historic Parks System to experience not only the natural wonders found here but also the Set to myriad of events being scheduled. Exercise your spirit of adventure with a visit to Turtle Back Zoo where you can see animals from five continents. Get your heartrate up on our Treetop Adventure and Zip Line, paddle boating on the reopen After a nearly yearlong renovation Reservoir or hiking one of our natural trails. Stop by the Environmental Center RENOVATIONS TO HENDRICKS FIELD project, Hendricks Field Golf Course to learn about butterflies, ecosystems and more. And create your own “big • Re-grassing of greens will reopen this summer. Nine of its 18 fish” story at our Children’s Fishing Derby series. Later this summer, spend an Summer • Building/rebuilding several holes evening under the stars enjoying our Summer Concert Series and Fireworks holes received major facelifts that will • Building/rebuilding bunkers Spectaculars. make the course more environmentally • Improving drainage 2021 pliable, aesthetically pleasing and • Reducing blind shots We hope you enjoy everything that Essex County has to offer. provide increased community access. • Modernizing bathrooms Together we will continue Putting Essex County First. Upon reopening, Hendricks golfers will be welcomed by lush green turf, clean Hendricks Field Golf Course is an historic facility of the Essex County Sincerely, Golf experienced a resurgence in sand bunkers and a putting green. The Parks System. Its development dates 2020 throughout Essex County building and rebuilding of several holes back to the 20th century. Motivated as golf courses provided a refuge and bunkers will eliminate blind spots by a surging demand for tee times where visitors could safely enjoy and improve drainage. Modernization of a sense of normalcy during the the bathroom facilities and redecoration at Weequahic Park Golf Course in 1916, several thousand residents Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a late of the clubhouse are enhancements that petitioned the Parks Commission for the Essex County Executive season opening and some modifications will make for a more pleasant experience construction of an additional golf course. and the Board of County Commissioners to play, the three distinct and historic and enjoyable game. golf courses that make up Essex County Soon thereafter, Harmon W. Hendricks Daniel K. Salvante Golf – Francis Byrne Golf Course in Tim Christ, Director of Golf Operations, donated a portion of the Forest Hill Golf Director of Parks, Recreation and West Orange, Weequahic Golf Course is anxious to welcome golf enthusiasts Course, situated on the Hendricks estate Cultural Affairs in Newark and Hendricks Field Golf back to the course. Christ credits north of Branch Brook Park. Renowned Course in Belleville – accommodated the success of Essex County Golf to golf architect Charles Banks designed more than 110,000 rounds of play last DiVincenzo, who spearheaded the the 18-hole course. Hendricks Field Golf BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS year. With the sport’s popularity on the current project and advocated for its Course opened to the public on July 20, rise in Essex County, new golfers will be financing through the NJ Green Acres 1929, attracting over 30,000 golfers in Wayne L. Richardson, President delighted by the improvements underway and the Division of Community Affairs its first six months. Carlos M. Pomares, Vice President at Hendricks Golf Course. grant programs. In addition to the course “This is an extremely exciting time for Tyshammie L. Cooper Leonard M. Luciano upgrades, future improvements are Brendan W. Gill Robert Mercado “Hendricks Field always was a great Hendricks. The course improvements planned that will include the expansion Romaine Graham Patricia Sebold recreation resource for our residents. will be a great addition to public golf. of programming by The First Tee of Rufus I. Johnson Our current projects will position We want to provide a significant the course as a golf destination for Metropolitan New York at Hendricks and golf experience to the public that is experienced and beginner golfers as well addition of an outdoor pavilion. affordable for them to play,” Christ said. as children learning the sport,” Essex The First Tee program, under the “Hendricks is a wonderful opportunity County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, for people who may otherwise never Jr. said. “The improvements being made leadership of Ed Brockner, introduces the game of golf to children and teens. get to play a Charles Banks course at here will bring the nationally recognized a private club. I love what we are doing The First Tee program to our second It currently operates a very active Hendricks Field Golf Course Hole 4 Cover Photo by Corey Danieli at CLD Studios here in Essex County for the public and course to introduce the game of golf program at the Weequahic Golf Course for the kids,” he added. to a new generation and make playing in Newark. With the facility upgrades This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the at Hendricks Field more enjoyable and underway, the exceeding popular For more information about the Arts. The Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs received an operating picturesque for our long-time golfers,” he programs will expand to Hendricks Field Essex County Golf Courses, visit support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department added. n of State. in 2022. essexcountyparks.org/golf. 2 The Spirit of Essex The Spirit of Essex 3 in-person programming requires mask child, $12 adult or $30 per family (2 are required. For information, call wearing and social distancing. adults, 2 children). 973.228.8776. Fee: $30 per family (up to two adults and two children) ESSEX COUNTY Field Trip Offerings for SUMMER 2021 PROGRAMS or $10 per child; $12 per adult SPOTLIGHT Organized Groups (Schools, Scouts, Church/Community Passaic River Canoe Trip Evening Paddle On the Passaic Organizations, Home-schoolers, Etc.) Saturday, June 12 from 9am to 1pm Wednesday, July 21 and Tuesday, For adults and children ages 12 and August 3 from 6:30-8:30pm FILMS BEGIN Virtual Field Trips up. Paddle up the Passaic River from For adults and children ages 10 RAIN WEDNESDAY EVENINGS Seasonal events sponsored $50 per program, 45 minutes the Environmental Center to Okner Park and older. Take a leisurely paddle CANCELS IN JULY & AUGUST! AT DUSK by the Essex County Choose from the Following Virtual Field in Livingston. Pack your own snack to on the Passaic River! Paddlers will Enjoy blockbuster movies under the stars on Department of Parks, Trip Topics: enjoy at the park and then float back enjoy scenery and peacefulness as down to Garibaldi Hall from where the they paddle up the river and float the rooftop of our Zoo parking deck. Select Wednesday Recreation and Cultural Affairs Seasonal Discovery Nature Tour, Frog Pond Science, Backyard Birding, canoes launched. The session includes downstream. Geared for beginners and evenings in July & August. This event takes place Lenape Learning Area Tour & Lenape basic paddling safety and techniques children 10 and up accompanied by a outside of the Zoo. Zoo admission is not Skills, Camping 101, Fish & Fishing and all equipment. For intermediate parent or guardian. Meet in the Garibaldi required to attend. Bring your own chair. 101, Passaic River Studies, Mighty and advanced paddlers. Children ages Hall parking lot. Advanced registration FREE ADMISSION ESSEX COUNTY CODEY ARENA Migrations, Butterflies, Wild about 12 and up may paddle with a parent and minimum number of participants 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange or guardian. Advanced registration are required. For information, call Wildlife Recycling (grant funded/free for July 7 July 14 July 21 973.731.3828 Essex County institutions while funds and minimum number of participants 973.228.8776. Fee: $15 per person www.essexcountynj.org/codeyarena last), Green Building Tour, Honeybees are required. For information, call & Native Pollinators, and more! 973.228.8776. Fee: $25 per person Butterfly Tent Safari SUMMER 2021 featuring live butterflies and FIGURE SKATING CAMP Call to book a Virtual Trip with Nature Photography Day butterfly-themed programming th th June 28 to August 6 the Environmental Center Tuesday, June 15 from 6-7:30pm for all ages. Saturday, July 17 to 8:00am to 3:30pm Call the Center to schedule and confirm For youth ages 8-17. Take a walking Saturday, July 31 BASIC SKILLS and Up a virtual time to meet and send a log-in tour of the ECEC grounds with a Tent Hours: Monday through Friday Week 1: June 28 to July 2 link for an ECEC educator to enter your naturalist and enjoy opportunities to take from 12-3pm and Saturdays, July 17, Full Day ................................................$425 virtual classroom; photographs that can be submitted to 24 & 31 from 10:30am to 1:30pm Half Day .............................................