Phase 1 of Maritime Park will include a new, state-of-the-art skatepark and a possible “tree nursery”

You can provide input through an online skatepark survey until September 30. There will also be an on-site meet-up on Tuesday, September 17 at 5 p.m. at the current Castle Point Park skatepark near 8th Street and Sinatra Drive. 

Hoboken Mayor Bhalla is carrying through on his promise to begin construction of Phase 1 of Maritime Park by 2025 on the unleased portion of the former Union Dry Dock property.

The City of Hoboken acquired the 8.2-acre Dry Dock property two years ago as part of a settlement agreement with NY Waterway. The agreement required the City to lease back most of the property to NY Waterway to maintain and store its ferry fleet while the company rebuilds its maintenance facility elsewhere. 

This lease will delay the park development of about two-thirds of the 3.15-acre land area and most of the water area for the next 3 to 5 years.

Although there is an opportunity to expand the unique and popular beach at Maxwell Place Park into the northernmost portion of the Dry Dock site, the current plans do not include it. This shoreline area north of the north pier – an area that, if added, would increase the size of the Hoboken Cove – is outside the boundaries of the NY Waterway’s lease and therefore should be included as part of the Phase 1 construction.

The skatepark – built over 20 years ago – is still popular but long overdue for an update.  Scape Studio and Action Sports Design will design the new, expanded skatepark, covering about a half-acre at its current location and extending partway into the Dry Dock site.

The new facility will provide concrete ramps, stairs, mounds, curbs and bowls to accommodate beginner to advanced skaters.  The City’s announcement states, “The survey will allow residents to provide feedback on design elements for the skatepark, which is envisioned to serve skateboarders, scooter riders, rollerbladers, BMX riders, and more.”

In the City’s Phase 1 Plan (see image above), the area north of the proposed skatepark expansion, about one acre, is left blank with the following text: “Tree nursery – Proposed layout TBD.” The final concept design unveiled last year shows a “forested area” with a lawn for this portion of the park. 

The Sinatra Drive Redesign Project runs adjacent to the Dry Dock site and will be constructed next year. A 25-foot linear strip of the Dry Dock property will be devoted to the Sinatra Drive Project. The new roadway redesign will provide narrower traffic lanes, resulting in slower traffic, and will add a protected bicycle pathway extending from 4th Street up to 11th. The 25-foot wide area accommodates the protected bike route as well as an expanded sidewalk at what is currently the most restricted portion of Hoboken’s waterfront.