Phase 1 of the Church Square Park Improvement Project in Hoboken is underway. The upgrades include a new playground for children ages 0-5, replacing the former playground with a new lawn, a new public bathroom, and a landscape buffer bordering the dog run. The work begins after years of community input and project planning, with the goal of modernizing the 150-year-old park while preserving its historic significance.
Built in 1875, Church Square Park has long served as a public hub for the town, bordered by Garden Street, Fourth Street, Willow Avenue, and Fifth Street. The City of Hoboken sought community input through a year-long process of public meetings and surveys. This led to the development of the Church Square Park Vision Plan. All planned upgrades align with this plan.
The highlights of the Phase 1 plan include:
– A new playground for children ages 0-5 with play mounds, curved benches, play panels, ramped play structures, a junior round climber, all-user swings, an inclusive whirl and magnet play elements. The playground will be located in the southwest section of the park and is designed for education, inclusion and safety.
– The children’s old playground will be replaced by open lawn space with new seating and landscaping.
– A landscape buffer providing soundproofing will run along the dog run on Willow Avenue. The buffer will include a concrete curb fence, a landscaped bed with shrubbery and planting bed fencing. All existing trees will be incorporated into the design.
– A utility building and accessible restroom will be constructed in the park’s southeast corner.
“Church Square Park is a vital gathering space used year-round by multiple schools and neighbors,” said Mayor Ravi Bhalla. “With so much daily activity, it has seen significant wear and tear, making these upgrades essential to keeping it safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all. By investing in new play areas, green space, and other improvements, we’re ensuring this historic park continues to serve our community for years to come.”
Contractors have begun installing temporary construction fencing throughout the park, and Phase 1 construction is expected to take five months.
