Matrix New World Engineering Helps Renovate Colgate Park’s Community Pool in Orange, NJ
Matrix New World Engineering (Matrix) recently completed the design of improvements needed for renovating a popular community pool at Colgate Park in the City of Orange. Colgate Pool is one of the City’s most popular pools, with an average of 550 visitors a day in the summer, so rehabilitating it was a top priority for the City. Nicholas DeCotiis, PE, Senior Engineer at Matrix, oversaw the engineering and landscape architecture services for the renovation. Improvements included refreshing the pool with new coping and a new plaster interior with a 10-year lifespan, replacing damaged skimmers, and improving ADA access to ensure that all residents can enjoy the pool.
The City successfully applied for and received just under $300,000 in financial assistance to make these necessary repairs, with half of the money coming from the Community Block Development Grant and the other half coming from an Essex County Open Space Grant, enabling the pool to be rehabilitated without residents bearing any additional costs. “Let this and all other projects that we are doing at our parks show that we are committed to moving Orange forward,” says City Mayor Warren.
Colgate Park was founded by the citizens of Orange 1918. The pool was dedicated by Llewellyn Park resident, Richard M. Colgate, grandson of the founder of the Colgate Company. The playground was opened and dedicated in September 1918 and was originally known as Washington Playground. Washington Playground was later renamed in the 1930s to honor Colgate, who passed away shortly after. Colgate Park is fully equipped with a kiddie playground, baseball or softball field with lights, horseshoe pits, and a walking path.
According to Jayne Warne, PE, President, “Matrix was honored to be a part of this renovation that will return the pool to the residents of Orange, NJ, in its original operating state.’