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| *Passaic River 4 by Mary Zanfino The Holland Submarine once sat on a lofty pedestal in this park. John P. Holland was the inventor of the world's first submarine and it was launched in the waters of the Passaic River in 1878. He went on to produce larger models with improvements, abandoning the first boat. In 1927 it was salvaged from the bottom of the river and was on exhibit in Westside Park for many years. To protect it from graffiti and vandalism it is now housed in the Paterson Museum. After a Navy contract, Holland built a submarine 53'10'long and the government authorized the purchase of the "Holland SS1" for the U.S. Navy. In the corner of the park Cental High, from downtown Paterson, was relocated and renamed John F. Kennedy High. It borders Totowa Road and Preakness Avenue. Continuing to follow the river upstream, still on McBride Avenue, there is an impressive monument erected as a memorial to the veterans of World War 1, in line where Dayton St. intersects Mc Bride Ave.It is a needle-like monument fashioned after the Washington monument but on a drastically smaller scale. You then come to Pennington Park at the most western part of Paterson. The park had 2 ballfields and a large open cement pavilion. I was playground director there for one summer where we conducted a variety of activities and games. The playground area had high swings, seesaws and a twirl around. We held horseshoe competitions, raced small boats in the water beyond a walled area that once was also a public swimming area. A number of schools held their field days at Pennington; I believe they still do. Numerous picnic tables and fireplaces were available for all day outings; very family oriented for the neighborhood. Fishing from the wall was common and I dare say many a youngster's first fishing experience was there. A basketball area beckoned some loyal players who played till dusk. The park is situated a the base of a long hill that was great for winter sledding and on summer evenings movie nights were scheduled where you could sit on the slopes of the hill and see the movie on a screen below, wrapped an blankets and eating snacks reserved for such occasions. Beyond Pennington and further up McBride you come to a bridge where Glover Avenue intersects. That is the dividing line between Paterson and West Paterson and across the river is Totowa Borough there was an older wooden bridge just before the newer one was built. It spanned the river where there is now a small dead end street. At the entrance to this wooden bridge there was a restaurant /café called the Lido Venice. It was built on an island that jutted out into the river. Festive parties and weddings were held there. Picnic tables were outside on the island where you could sit, dine and enjoy the scenic view. Across the river on a 400'frontage on Totowa Road and property extending all the way to Union Blvd.was the Willard Park. . After Wiltmore O. Willard's death, Mrs. Willard leased the property to William S. Ryerson. The farmstead included the Willard Hotel and was conducted by him from 1885 until 1891. The day before the Boyles took over in l891 a fire consumed the Willard Hotel. The enterprising Boyles realized the potential of the property: a trolley ran past their land, a river at their door where boatmen paddled up and down and where swimmers frolicked off the shores of then unpolluted river. Joseph Boyle built a new 2 ½ storey hotel with wide porches around it. It was located on the corner of Willard Ave. and Totowa Rd. It served initially as the meeting hall for the Totowa Borough council as well as other community functions. Behind the hotel was a large fenced in picnic grove, complete with swings, tables and benches. Further back was a ballfield with two large grandstands. Willard Park was well known throughout the Eastern States as the home of the Paterson Baseball Club.The late State Senator John Hinchcliffe and David Boyle, another brother, managed this endeavor. In l896 R and J Boyle contracted the construction of a 1.3 mile bicycle track surrounding the ball field. The Tourist Cycle Club leased the track and bicycle races were held, giving the park an added attraction. The park also included a dancing platform and facilities for skeet and rifle shooting. It was a site for champion discus throws. The demise of the famous Willard Park was the coming of age of the automobile. People were now able to travel to distant parts for recreation. After World War 1 the park was dismantled and homes were constructed. The Willard hotel remained in business until the late 1930's when a second fire destroyed it. Next Email us to add your memories |
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