Hundreds Celebrate Grover Cleveland Park's 100 Birthday

The Grover Cleveland Park Conservancy hosted a fundraising reception with jazz music entertainment by The Duke Lukic Trio. Guests enjoyed wine, beer and appetizers catered by Tierney's Copperhouse in Fairfield.  

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Daniel K. Salvante and Conservancy President Claudia Kolster welcomed the 120 guests. 

Following the reception, kids and adults picnicked in the park enjoying food from Hog Wild and donated ice cream from Gelotti while listening to music by The Kootz. The concert was part of the Essex Free SummerMusic Concert series sponsored by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

Some of the dignitaries on-hand were Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, Jr., Essex County Freeholder Leonard Luciano, Caldwell Mayor Ann Dassing, Caldwell Councilmen Thomas O’Donnell and Edward Durkin, and N. Caldwell Councilwoman Patty McGrogan-Fost.

GCPC President Claudia Kolster said, “We were so pleased by the support of the community in our celebration of Grover Cleveland Park’s centennial.  We had a great turn-out; everyone had a very good time.  

"This park has served many generations of local families and will continue to do so under the stewardship of Essex County and the Conservancy and support of local residents and businesses.”

Sponsors of the 100th anniversary festivities include: Presidential Level - $2,000+: Bay Roofing who, in addition to a monetary donation, donated time and materials to repair the roof of the Playground House; Architect Level - $1,000: Dancy Funeral Home, Gelotti, John Young Realtors; Essex Level - $500: Cloverleaf Tavern, Jack’s Super Foodtown, Forte; Patrons - $200: Caldwell Seafood, Calandra's, Original Pancake House, Print Shack, R. Ventola Landscaping; Sponsors - $100: Anne Filkin Lamps & Shades, Caldwell-Bloomfield Plumbing & Heating, Caldwell Collision, Conceptual Interiors, LLC, James R. Haas Landscape Spectrum, K. Maken Landscaping, Lakeland Bank, Paintland, Rotary Club of Fairfield, Smith & Co., Spencer Savings Bank, Wefferling & Co., CPAs, LLC, West Caldwell Animal Hospital.

The next Centennial Event will be on September 21 from 1-4 p.m.  Fun for the whole family: carnival games, demonstrations, food, crafts, music, scavenger hunt, face painting, 50/50 drawing and more!

The Grover Cleveland Park Conservancy is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2001 dedicated to the maintenance, restoration and enhancement of the Grover Cleveland Park. Funds raised will be used for further enhancements and maintenance of the landscape in the park. 

For further information on events, membership or volunteer opportunities, visit www.groverclevelandpark.org or contact at gcpc@molink.com or 973-618-9154.