Important Upcoming Events

Mark Your Calendars!

May 5: It's the annual Watsessing Park Cleanup! The WPC is sponsoring the annual cleanup this year on the first Saturday in May.

The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission will be on hand supplying equipment and bags, the Essex County Department of Corrections will be there bright and early to do their part, and our dedicated Essex County Park workers will be helping out and disposing of the garbage that is collected. We also hope to have the Bloomfield High School student volunteers again this year. And, of course, neighbors like you!

We will also be planting flowers on the island in the middle of Glenwood Avenue and Prospect Street. If you would like to help with this task, please bring an extra trowel if you hae one.

Volunteers should meet at the Glenwood Avenue entrance to the park across from Maolis Avenue, at 10 a.m. There will be a welcome table set up with donuts and coffee. Please report there to sign in and receive your gloves and bags. Lunch will be provided to all volunteers.

May 19: Guess who’s turning ten this year? The Watsessing Heights Neighborhood Assocation! Yes, the WHNA is marking its 10th anniversary as an organization! It’s hard to believe that 10 years have passed. We have accomplished so much, and there is so much left to do.

One of the more exciting accomplishments of the WHNA was the creation of the Watsessing Park Conservancy. We are a full 501(c)(3) (charitable) organization dedicated to the preservation and upkeep of Watsessing Park.

Partnering with Essex County, the WPC has received Green Acres funds over the past several years that have been used to refurbish the historic bandstand and the field houses, replace the running track with state-of-the art material, upgrade the playgrounds, and more.

As part of the celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the WHNA, the WPC and WHNA are working together to hold a gala fundraiser at 12 Miles West to benefit the WPC. Green Acres grants are becoming scarce and the WPC needs new funding to continue its mission. Funds are needed to plant new trees and repair the bridges in the park, among other projects.

Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 19th as the WHNA/WPC and 12 Miles West present “Tales of an Urban Burb.” This world premiere play by Rose Caruso is also part of the New Jersey Playwrights Festival of New Plays. Come and see how the urbane and “sub” urbane clash in this rollicking comedic look at life in and out of the city. This promises to be an evening filled with laughter!

Tickets will be $30 each and are partially tax deductible. We will also have a pre-theater wine and cheese gathering as well as a post- theater “Meet the Artists” reception, which are included in the price of your ticket. The pre-theater event starts at 6:30 and the play starts at 8 p.m.

If you are interested in attending, please e-mail us at WPCEssex@yahoo.com with your name and number of tickets needed. Or you can call 973-680-WHNA and leave the information there. Payment can be made the night of the show; we will accept cash or checks payable to “WPC.”

Seats are limited and you must e-mail or phone to reserve your tickets, so don’t delay – contact us today! We look forward to sharing this evening with you.