The First County Park System: A Complete History of the Inception and Development of the Essex County Parks of New Jersey (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Frederick W. Kelsey

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0365024562 ISBN 13: 9780365024569

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

A detailed account of how Essex County built one of the nation’s most ambitious county park systems, from early dreams to a fully realized network of parks and parkways.

This history traces the inception, legislation, and development of the Essex County parks around Newark. It shows how a bold plan moved smoothly from idea to action, then grew to meet rising costs and changing political winds. The narrative highlights the people, processes, and public support that shaped the system over a decade and more.

Readers will gain a clear view of the county’s park movement—its goals, key decisions, and the practical realities of turning plans into accessible public spaces. The book also reflects on governance, financing, and the evolving role of citizens in safeguarding parklands for future generations.

• How early discussions and legislation laid the groundwork for a regional park system
• The sequence of park locations, parkways, and the growing cost of development
• The challenges of administration, counsel, and governance in a large public project
• Insights into public involvement and the shift from appointive to elective oversight

Ideal for readers of local history and public works who want to understand how urban parks can transform a community.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0365024562
• ISBN 13: 9780365024569
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 328