feature story / 25 of the teamwork that took place dur- ing the past year. “It was one of those fun projects,” says Roe, “fun to work on, fun to talk about – and it came out great!” The Engineering Department measured all of the walking paths. The Recreation Department helped to pro- mote the walking paths and supported the Health Department in applying for the grant. Susan Newberry, the Township Historian, provided historic infor- mation. As there was no historical groundwork, it took her about seven months to complete. “It was excit- ing uncovering the layers of history of these parks,” she says. “It’s fun to learn about the town leaders who es- tablished the services and features of the town.” John Branigan, a liaison to the Preservation Commission and a member of the Maplewood Planning Board, designed the exhibits through his own business, Graphic Design: John Branigan. His work makes them accessible and fun to read. Each park has its own character- istic flavor, and the exhibits unravel some local mysteries. For instance, how did Borden Park get its name? While walking around its .2 mile path, enjoying the sounds of soccer practice, tennis matches, and children playing gleefully on the playground, walkers can pause for a moment to read the full story. Borden Park was first an orchard, and later the site of florists’ greenhouses. It didn’t become This project was provided by the Township of Maplewood, with funding and support from the Maplewood Open Space Trust Fund in partnership with the Maplewood Historic Preservation Commission. DeHart Park Walking Path WELCOME to DeHart Park. Below is a map showing the distance of the walking / jogging trail as well as information about the park’s origin and its connection to Maplewood’s history. We encourage residents to use our parks to stay healthy, socialize and connect with nature. While many people were involved with the development of this park over the years, area residents are part of its living history as a public space. Please be responsible stewards of this unique natural and cultural environment and follow local township regulations as you enjoy the facilities. Before It Was a Park The Becker family lived on and farmed this tract of land from the late 1800s until the 1930s. Louis Becker grew strawberries here and his son Norman was known for his pansies and mums displayed at the 1939- 40 New York World’s Fair and Rockefeller Center. In 1938 Becker sold six of the acres to Maplewood for DeHart Park and donated the greenhouse now behind town hall. Ballfields, tennis courts, a playground and a shelter house were ready in time for the 1939 season. Maplewood Community Service (the precursor to the Recreation Department) ran intra-mural softball, tennis, tether ball, and shuffleboard games as well as craft-making and pet shows. A Moment In Time From Maplewood News July 13, 1939: “On July 5, 1939, the second day of the new DeHart Park, about 150 children turned out to see the Schroder Family Hillbilly Band. Kids painted checker boards at the tables of the Shelter House, and played games like poison ball, safe ball, and stealing the flag, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.” Sansone Field Dan Sansone – Columbia High School Class of 1979 – Dan was a member of the 1978 and 1979 baseball teams that won the Greater Newark Tournament. He was a First Team All-Oranges and All-County selection and a Second Team All-State selection. He continued his career at Seton Hall University. Dan passed away in 1992 and in 1993 the Township dedicated Sansone Field in his honor. Who was John DeHart? John S. DeHart, known as the “Father of Maplewood,” served on the Township Committee for 18 years (1919-1937), 16 of those years as Committee Chairman. He guided Maplewood through its period of rapid growth and many of the difficult Depression years. A true visionary, DeHart reorganized and expanded the municipality, instituting zoning, overseeing the construction of the fire and police headquarters and the Town Hall, all centered around Memorial Park, and was a major force behind the construction of the district’s new schools. Under his leadership in 1922, the Township officially changed its name to Maplewood. Look for this plaque in the lobby of town hall presented to DeHart just before his death: John S DeHart Jr Wise and constructive civic leader True friend and counsellor To whom this tablet is dedicated By his fellow citizens in grateful Appreciation of his devotion to the Township of Maplewood December 2, 1937 Newark Sunday Call, July 17, 1938. Courtesy of the Newark Public Library Source: Oranges & Essex Co. 1904 Plate 26 (Shaded area: approximate location of DeHart Park today) Lombardy Pl Taranto Ct Newark Way Tennis Court Playground Hockey Rink Soccer Fields Sansone Field Maplewood Community Center Burnett Avenue Lexington Ave T u s c a n S t Park Entry ç Park Entry ç Park Entry ç You Are Here Q Dehart Trail: .33 miles The DeHart Park and other walking paths and exhibits can be viewed online at twp.maplewood.nj.us under the Health Department. Township Historian Susan Newberry researched the historical informa- tion for the exhibits while John Branigan designed them. a recreational park until 1949. Five years later, in 1954, it was formally dedicated to Milo S. Borden in recog- nition of his 30 years of public service to the township of Maplewood. Modern day DeHart Park is a busy place containing a playground, a roll- er-hockey rink, a tennis court, and an outdoor gym with exercise equipment. The DeHart Trail, a third of a mile in length, circles Sansone Field, the base- ball diamond and a soccer field. De- Hart’s exhibit tells the story of John S. DeHart, the “Father of Maplewood,” as well as Dan Sansone, from Colum- bia High School’s class of 1979, a stel- lar athlete who passed away thirteen years after graduation. We learn that before the park existed, the land con- tained fields of strawberries, mums, and colorful pansies. Further, when DeHart Park officially opened on July 13, 1939, the town held a big celebra- tion. Readers can envision the 150 children painting checkerboards and playing games all day long. Maplecrest Park, the largest of the three parks, contains three baseball diamonds and a multi-purpose field used for soccer, ultimate Frisbee, foot- ball, and more. Walkers can choose the short trail (.41 miles), or the long trail (.55 miles). The park also boasts tennis courts, playgrounds, and the award-winning Maplewood Skate Park. The exhibit tells the story of how the land changed hands, and the area went from being pastureland to a field that was flooded in the winter for ice skating. Back in the day, the park was the location for exciting baseball and football games that sported colorful team names and entertained thou- sands of area fans. Admirers of Maplewood’s parks will probably wonder why Memorial Park, the largest park in town, does not have an exhibit. Because it is al- ready a designated historic park, the township would have to seek approv- als from the Historical Society as well as the state to post an exhibit there. As Roe explains, “We wanted to post the other three exhibits, see whether people like them, and then we can look at Memorial Park.” The walking trails have already been measured, and a map with the distances is available on the township web site (twp.maple- wood.nj.us). In the meantime, Maplewood’s park lovers can enjoy knowing the fas- cinating history of Borden, DeHart, and Maplecrest Parks. “Our parks are one of our many treasures,” says Dav- enport. “We hope the information will inspire people to do things today – to walk another lap, to adopt one of the old sports team names, or just to have a greater feeling of connectedness to and stewardship of these parks.” Jessica Lituchy is a freelance writer in Maplewood who can often be found walking her dog Mudgie on the Maple- crest walking trails. n