hoboken

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken today unveiled the newly renovated“Sergeant William Fesken Memorial Field” at Stevens Park. Mayor Bhalla, alongside local officials and Little League and RBI Softball participants, ceremoniously cut the ribbon on April 13, following the opening day parade of the Hoboken Little League and RBI Softball League.

The extensive renovation of the field included several upgrades aimed at providing the community with reliable recreational facilities. The project involved removing the existing turf, replaced with a new synthetic turf field designed to optimize durability for infield and outfield performance. Additionally, new field underdrains and drainage inlets have been installed, providing better water management and field preservation.

Field improvements include the replacement of the backstop fence, pitching mound, new outdoor batting cages and dugouts, enhancing both safety and functionality. The outfield also boasts new fencing, netting, and gates, while new walkways offer improved accessibility throughout the facility. A new wireless scoreboard has been installed along with electrical site upgrades to support modern amenities.

"As the birthplace of the first organized game of baseball, the revitalization of Sergeant William Fesken Memorial Field not only honors our heritage but also reaffirms our commitment to providing top-tier recreational facilities for residents of all ages,” said Mayor Bhalla. “The newly renovated field will help us continue to foster a vibrant and active community for years to come.”  

In addition to the revitalization of Sergeant William Fesken Memorial Field, the City recently implemented turf upgrades to Sinatra Park and installed new netting, further enhancing the recreational experience for residents.  

This month the City will also finish installing Vision Zero infrastructure improvements along Fifth Street, ensuring pedestrian safety to the popular parks by reducing the length of crossing distances and improving visibility. These upgrades to the newly repaved street include five painted curb extensions near Stevens Park, four high visibility crosswalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps, and new pavement markings and a raised crosswalk to slow vehicular traffic. The City also expanded on-street parking on Fifth Street by approximately eight spaces.

To learn more about the City’s recreation offerings, go to hoboken.recdesk.com/Community/Program.