Westwood is preparing to dismantle the McKinley Park playground ahead of an October 1 installation date, marking the final chapter of a borough-wide recreation modernization effort that has spanned nearly two decades.
According to borough officials, the existing play structures at McKinley Park will be taken down in late September to prepare the site for the new equipment. The comprehensive upgrade is funded through a combination of the Borough of Westwood’s capital account and matching funds from the Bergen County Open Space Grant, a program designed to assist municipal governments in preserving land and upgrading public recreational facilities.
This project represents the culmination of a long-term capital improvement master plan that began in 2007. Over the past 19 years, Westwood has systematically renovated its public playgrounds to ensure modern safety and accessibility standards. The initiative started at Meadowbrook Park and progressed sequentially through Voorhis Park, Westvale Park, Hegeman Park, and Brookside Park. McKinley Park is the sixth and final municipal playground to undergo transformation under this sustained infrastructure program.
Local families and residents should plan for temporary playground closures at McKinley Park starting in late September. While the demolition and installation process is expected to take several weeks, the long-term investment ensures that all major neighborhood parks in the borough will enter the upcoming year with completely updated, safe, and modern recreational equipment.