The Dennis P. Collins Park is situated in Bayonne just across the Kill Van Kull from Staten Island, and there are views of the Bayonne Bridge from the grounds. Named for a former Bayonne mayor, it is also known as First Street Park, and includes a World War II memorial, a skate park that opened last year, courts for bocce, baseball, and tennis, playgrounds, Brady’s Dock for fishing, a small sprayground, a gazebo, and a .8 mile walking trail.
It was once the site of Killeen Park, and Uncle Milty’s Playland, also known as the Bergen Point Amusement Park and Miltyville, which was Hudson County’s sole amusement park and a popular attraction for local residents and visitors.
Now, according to a legal notice, the City of Bayonne is seeking a variety of upgrades for the park that could once again make it a regional destination. Phase I of the Dennis P. Collins Park improvements project calls for new site fencing, new playground equipment, new landscaping, a new walkway, and the installation of new bonded rubber surfacing.
There are also plans for a reconstruction of the tennis court, the installation of two dog parks, two new sand volleyball courts, new fitness equipment, and a cornhole toss area, the notice states. CME Associates of Parlin, Middlesex County is listed as the engineer for the project, and the City will accept bids for the installation of the new features on June 7th at 11:00am at City Hall.
The revitalization of Dennis P. Collins Park is part of a larger plan to improve parks in the city, including Clark Park and Fitzpatrick Park, both of which are located along on Avenue C. City records show that part of the funding for the project is slated to come from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
