Submitted by: Gay Hollowell
The renovation effort of Peppertown Park is on a roll in Berkeley Heights… a Bocce roll that is. The kick off fundraising event hosted by the Peppertown Park Renewal Committee also included a celebration of the Italian legacy of the grounds on which the park sits. Originally part of the Frank and Agnes Petrone family farm, the surrounding land was known for its abundance of peppers.
Dedicated as a park in 2000, a town Clock was added in 2014. The area will now become a hub for heritage, art, cultural and recreational activity. Located in the heart of downtown Berkeley Heights, it will be a center for year round events. The renovation effort was greeted with full support by Mayor Robert Woodruff, Council President Marc Faecher, Vice President Jeanne Kingsley, and the entire Berkeley Heights Town Council.
They established the Peppertown Park Renewal Committee to advise and assist in the coordination of the project. It is a public/private partnership between the township and Berkeley Heights Parks Renewal, a 501(c)3 organization.
The new design includes a plaza area for tables, a center for the town’s holiday tree lighting, and a “great lawn” leading to a stage area. Committee Chairwoman Midge Vicendese explained that the park will be done in phases, with each phase funded through donations and grants.
The all volunteer Peppertown Park Renewal Committee includes members of the Petrone family along with residents committed to park preservation and improvements. The concept design was developed by Donovan Hall, a landscape architect with Halls Garden Center in Berkeley Heights.
With a combination of hardscape and green space, the design offers something for residents of all ages. The inclusion of a Bocce court was the inspiration for the kick-off event.
The Pledge of Allegiance opened the tournament and was led by Union County Freeholder Al Mirabella. The Parks Renewal Committee received a matching grant from the County’s Open Space and Recreational Trust Fund Grant Program to start renovations. Catherine Petrone Martino, age 92, and who grew up on the farmstead, rolled out the first Bocce ball. The Italian heritage of the town was celebrated in the festive atmosphere and included specialty foods from township restaurants: pizza and sausage & pepper sandwiches from Clemente’s, meatball subs from Marcello’s, chicken with pesto from Giovanni’s, Rita’s Italian ice, pastries from Biagio, and a new creation, the “Peppertown Pork sandwich” from DiMaio’s. Local sponsors included Taylor Rental and Halls Garden Center & Florist. The Berkeley Heights PAL hosted a 50/50 raffle. Volunteers handled all the details of the event, and additional volunteers are welcome to help with future efforts.
Winners of the Bocce Tournament received a membership to Berkeley Swim Club and gift cards to Strega Restaurants, Marcello’s and Giovanni’s Bistro. In the final round, Team Y members Cos Scarcia and Biff Hollowell emerged victorious over Berkeley Heights Mayor Bob Woodruff and Town Administrator John Bussiculo. Their names will go on a perpetuity plaque.
The Committee continues its fundraising efforts and invites everyone to participate. Please visit PeppertownPark.com for more information and to make a tax deductible contribution online or by check payable/sent to Berkeley Heights Parks Renewal Committee, 29 Park Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922.
To see the complete album of this event visit Berkeley Heights Bocci BBQ 2017
