Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association Newsletter
July 2011 Issue
NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, JULY 6TH, 7:30 PM PARK GAZEBO
Rain Location: HAMILTON SQUARE LOBBY
NOTE: LOCATION CHANGE!!!!!
IS THE TRASH GARBARGE OR RECYCABLE?
Do you often whether it is garbage or recyclable? Or do you have others about trash, street sweeping, or recycling? Come to our July 6th meeting at Cordero Middle School to share your concerns with your neighbors and to listen to Oren Dabney, CEO of Jersey City Incinerator Authority.
ParkFest Was a Huge Success
Although the weather did not help, your enthusiasm did. We want to thank the vendors, the volunteers, the participants, and guests who have contributed to our flagship event of the year! This event raised funds for our work, helped new neighbors have a better sense for our community, and was fun for adults and kids alike. And, during ParkFest, many new members joined the HPNA!
Street Name Change
HPNA received a proposal to designate Pavonia Avenue between Erie Street and Manila Street, by Cordero Community School after its Principal Strynar. At our next meeting, we will discuss and vote whether the HPNA should support designating the stretch of Pavonia Ave to commemorate his work in education. It is not an actual street renaming, but a designation, which is the installation of a sign above the Pavonia Street signs designating a stretch of the Avenue as Principal Strynar Avenue.
Warm Welcome to Our New Board Members
At its least meeting, the board voted for Kerri Ann O’Shea of Eighth Street and Amogh Ranade of Seventh Street to join the board until January 2012. If you see them in the neighborhood, congratulate them!
Does Your Block Need a New Trash Can?
Unfortunately, everywhere we look trash is littering our streets, sidewalks, and the park. Installing new trash receptacle requires neighborhood support. 15 residents in the immediate area need to sign a petition to have a new trash receptacle installed on your street. If you and your neighbors believe that your street needs a new trash receptacle, HPNA has developed a simple petition to sign, which you can obtain by emailing hpnajc@gmail.com. When the JCIA comes to the July 6th neighborhood meeting, providing the authority signed petitions would offer a great opportunity and help on the way!
Enos Jone Park Clean Up and Game of Skate –
July 9th from 12 to 3 pm -- More detail to come
Bicycle Thefts Are On the Rise
With the summer, the number of bicycle thefts is on the rise. This is unfortunate. If you own a bicycle (even a tricycle), make sure that you lock it, and record the following information that can help the police in case it gets stolen. Take a photo of your bicycle, and note its serial number and its make and model. All this information can help the police in following-up on bike thefts, assist in both recoveries and returns.
More Recycling in Hamilton Park
As there is no recycling in the park, it has become an increasing concern for many of our neighbors. HPNA is starting a committee to focus on installing a workable recycling system in the park. As the first step, we invited the Oren Dabney, the CEO of the JCIA, to our July meeting, who will talk about residential recycling, trash collection, and the potential implementation of a recycling program in the Park. If the broader trash problems in the park concern you, come and attend this meeting. Or, you express interest in joining the committee by emailing hpnajc@gmail.com.
Look for the HPNA Business Tents at Local Businesses
The membership cards have been mailed to all new and old members. Those businesses that support the HPNA and our community, now have their tent cards out! Please visit these businesses that support your neighborhood!
If you are not a member, and would like to support our neighborhood, you can become a member by downloading the membership form from hpnajc.blogspot.com or by emailing hpnajc@gmail.com. The annual membership fee is only $10 per household, and you can always join HPNA for multiple years!
The John DeSalvo Playground Community Garden
Downtown residents, Jenny Jobarteh, and Jan A. Nordland, attended the Adopt-A-Lot seminar at City Hall in Jersey City, and decided to plant a garden at Enos Jones Park, located in downtown Jersey City on Brunswick Street between Eighth Street and Pavonia Avenue.
They and three other neighbors, Susan Raihofer, Beth Smith-Moncrief, and Amy Lin Rodriguez, signed a lease agreement with the City and Director Rodney Hadley, J. C. Public Works, chose the location for the community garden. His staff tilled the site and also delivered the top soil.
The group reached out to the community requesting donations so they could purchase plants and shrubs for the garden.
The following people generously donated: The Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association, George and Cathy Mercado of Bouquets and Baskets, Jan A. Nordland and Joan Koehler, Beth Smith-Moncrief, Wyse and Amy Lin Rodriguez, Elna Mukaida, Councilman Steven Fulop, Committee man Leon Greene, and Committee woman Debbie Davis.
The first planting was on Sunday, June 19th and a neighbor Carmine Dellamonica also generously donated a truck load of blue stone for the garden foot path. Director Hadley then arranged for a mulch delivery.
This community effort and resulting garden is proof that it only takes a handful of neighbors to make a difference!
The group has its own Google Groups page with information on the garden and allows anyone to join https://groups.google.com/group/john-desalvo-playground-community-gardening-group. Alternatively, you can email jennyjobarteh@hotmail.com, or call Jan at 201-403-7956.
Traffic Updates
Traffic in the neighborhood is a perennial problem, and we are closely listening to any changes to the often intense traffic on the various cross streets. The traffic light at 9th and Marion is under construction. Recently, HPNA has requested a traffic study at intersection of Monmouth and 10th Streets with the intention of installing a stop sign there. Moreover, the pedestrian crosswalk signs at the intersection of Jersey Ave. and 6th Street are to be fixed. Finally, the HPNA is finalizing a comprehensive spreadsheet listing all the crosswalks in the Hamilton Park neighborhood that need to be painted. This list will be then submitted to the City’s Traffic and Engineering division.
Look around in the neighborhood
The Hamilton Park Watch Group is the "eyes and ears" for the JCPD in the park, and reports any suspicious or illegal activity immediately to the JCPD. The group and its members are dedicated to helping make our park a safe place to visit for children, neighbors, and visitors. Please join us at: http://groups.google.com/group/hamilton-park-watch-group.
News from the Greens Committee
The newly started Hamilton Park Greens Committee keeps the greens in the park clean and pretty. It meets on Saturdays at 10 AM, weather permitting. Come and pull weeds, meet your neighbor, and have some fun. Please email Jan at jnord5852@aol.com for more information. They are off for the 4th weekend but will be back on the 9th!
News from the Cleanup Group
The Hamilton Park Cleanup Group is looking for more volunteers to keep the park trash free. Currently there are three evening shifts (7 PM) and two weekend shifts (9 AM) each week. If you can spare half an hour, once or twice per month, to keep the park clean, please contact Di Webber at diwebber@verizon.net for more information to join the group.
The Hamilton Park Cleanup Group is looking for more volunteers to keep the park trash free. Currently there are three evening shifts (7 PM) and two weekend shifts (9 AM) each week. If you can spare half an hour, once or twice per month, to keep the park clean, please contact Di Webber at diwebber@verizon.net for more information to join the group.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Every Wednesday – Farmers’ Market, 4 – 8 PM
July 2nd – No greens group
July 6th – July’s HPNA Meeting: Trash, Trash, and Recycling AT HP GAZEBO
July 9th – Enos Jones Clean up the Park and Game of Skate! 12 to 3 pm
No August meeting!
This newsletter is brought to you by
Hamilton Inn, Project Pilates and Hamilton Health and Fitness, and
BCG Advisors, Inc. – The Insurance Agency of HPNA
