Memorial Park Renovations Overview - FEMA

Memorial Park, a cherished community space in Nutley also known as the Mud Hole, had begun to undergo significant renovations in early 2025. This project had aimed to reorganize the park, which suffered damage from recent flooding. These improvements not only restored the park's beauty but also enhanced its functionality for residents. The renovation included upgrades to landscaping, walkways, and the installation of new features. Staff at the Parks Department are committed to preserving and enhancing  public spaces for the benefit of all residents.

“It was a FEMA run project,” Frank DeMaio said. The  Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is a federal agency that coordinates in response to disasters and helps mitigate hazards, and collaborated with the Nutley parks to cover the damage inflicted on Memorial Park. A half million dollars had been provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to aid in the park's reconstruction. This money went towards cleaning debris and garbage from the river which ultimately expanded the pond. Through recent modifications the deeper pond will help to reduce damage left by potential future floods, which had been the main contributor to the park’s once disheveled state.

The renovations were initially planned in early November, having the park closed to residents as of January 6th, with work starting the following day. This was due to the damages from 2021’s Tropical Storm Ida, which had been followed by smaller storms that destroyed the parks, compromising their state. The park, nestled within a low-lying area, had water up to the bottoms of the benches. 

This resulted in eroded pathways, damaged landscaping, and compromised infrastructure. Playground equipment was damaged, there were submerged recreational areas, and a layer of debris was left behind, necessitating extensive cleanup efforts and highlighting the park's vulnerability to extreme weather events. The storm's impact undermined the urgent need for comprehensive renovations to not only restore the park but also protect it and properties around it from future flooding. Though homes can’t be completely shielded from the storms with the new installations to the pond, DeMaio hopes to keep these homes “away from major water damage,” which will now be possible with the flood control precautions added.

The renovated pond has a valve at one end to not allow water in so the township can lower the water level and have a flood gate to control water flow at the other. With  knowledge of upcoming storms it will be lowered to allow for a ”retention area” of water that flows through the park. The pond depth has regained its 6-8 feet depth now that the project is done, and it is lowered a couple feet in the event rain is coming. “The pond was originally six to eight feet, but it had been roughly 2 feet from all the mud,” says Anthony Gagliardo of the Parks Department.

 The shallow depth of the pond caused massive loss of life to the fish that had once thrived within it . “The fish were not in good condition; we were losing lots of them,” Gagliardo said. He hopes to “bring back the old fishing competitions,” as they were something previously known to be hosted in the park. Now, with better living conditions for the fish, the contests can be reopened to the public.

The contest, when still running, had been available for grades 1-8. Since the last contest was held in 2019, new competitions will draw in a whole new batch of kids interested in showing off their fishing skills. Among those is Joseph Frusteri, an elementary schooler attending Radcliffe. Frusteri finds fishing “fun and peaceful;  it's exciting not knowing what's going to happen when you get a bite.” Participating in the contest would bring in more excitement, engaging Frusteri and fellow young fishers. The contest is a day of fun not only for the experienced fisherman but also a great way for those new to the sport to give it a try among friends and community members. “I'd probably like to go with my friends; we're all really competitive.”, Frusteri said. There's many who have an interest in participating in the competition if it does return.

The recent rebuilding of Nutley’s Memorial Park goes beyond the manicured lawns people see; it’s a renewed commitment to the community as it is making beautiful and accessible spaces for residents. With these renovations, residents can continue to gather and connect in this space. Memorial Park both honors the past while helping create a lovely future for Nutley, being shaped into a space that’s befitting of it.