New Fitness Station Opens at James J. Braddock Park in North Bergen
July 17, 2019
Standing (left-to-right) at the ribbon cutting are Robert Ceragno, of Rotary District 7490; Hugo Cabrera, North Bergen Commissioner; Philip Wells of Rotary District 7490; Anthony J. Passannante Jr., M.D., FACC, President and Chief Hospital Executive of Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center; Joseph Burt, Vice President/Executive Director of the Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center Foundation; North Bergen Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco; Eurice E. Rojas, Vice President of Business Development of Hackensack Meridian Health; Nikki Mederos, Director of External Affairs of Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center; Thomas A. DeGise, Hudson County Executive; Anthony P. Vainieri, Jr., Chairman of the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders; and Janet Castro, Director of the North Bergen Health Department.
A special public-private partnership will help keep local residents healthier with the addition of a new Fitness Station at James J. Braddock Park in North Bergen.
The new Fitness Station, located next to the tennis courts, includes workout equipment for a wide variety of exercises, including a balance walk, overhead ladder, parallel bars, cardio walker, and benches for push-ups, sit-ups and leg presses to name a few.
Freeholder Anthony P. Vainieri, Jr., Chairman of the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders worked diligently with Janet Castro, Director of the North Bergen Health Department, members of Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center, Rotary District 7490 and the Hudson County Department of Parks and Community Services to plan and complete the project. A special ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held to celebrate the grand opening of the Fitness Station.
Anthony J. Passannante Jr., M.D., FACC, President and Chief Hospital Executive of Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center, participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony and praised the collaborative efforts of all partners involved in the project.
"We proud to be a part of the Fitness Station project because it underscores our mission and commitment to keeping everyone in our community healthy,” said Dr. Passannante. "Braddock Park is a wonderful location for our neighbors to come and exercise – especially for those who do not have access to a gym or fitness equipment. This project serves as a reminder that our efforts go far beyond the walls of our hospital. At Palisades, we take great pride in our community outreach programs and services."
ABOUT JAMES J. BRADDOCK PARK
With a land area of 167 acres, James J. Braddock Park is one of the largest and most beautiful of Hudson County’s parks. The park is home to the 16-acre Woodcliff Lake and has an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline. It offers an impressive array of forty-five various athletic facilities, as well as a variety of natural features.
The park, formerly known as North Hudson Park, was established in 1910. It was renamed to honor James J. Braddock, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion from 1935 to 1937. A long-time resident of Hudson County, the boxer known as the “Cinderella Man” was an inspiration to the people of the area, especially during the Great Depression.
James J. Braddock Park offers an impressive array of lighted sports fields and courts including 21 tennis courts, three basketball courts, three bocce courts, handball courts, three football fields, six volleyball courts, a little league field, an exercise/cross country course, and an assortment of playground equipment in the children’s area. The park is also home to nature trails, picnic areas, and a dog run. Along the Palisades, the County maintains a natural wildlife sanctuary and bird viewing platform to experience local wildlife in the region as well as viewing the New York City skyline.