Overlooking the newly raised and expanded Bayonne Bridge, two areas of Dennis P. Collins Park in Bayonne, NJ, were transformed using the Bomanite Imprint Systems decorative concrete. The main contractor for the project, Picerno Giordano Construction, in conjunction with the project designer CME Associates, selected Bomanite licensee Beyond Concrete to perform the renovations. Since 1984, Beyond Concrete has made a commitment to creative solutions and artistic decorative concrete craftsmanship. This project presented many challenges that allowed them to excel at what they do best.
The first area, adjacent to the sand volleyball court, is a circular 50-foot diameter decorative concrete patio area directly overlooking the bridge. The pattern chosen was the Circular Cobblestone Pattern in Shale Gray color with a Cobblestone highlight color. Surrounding the entire patio is a border of concrete using Light Ash color and a Forest Brown highlight in a Granite Texture pattern. The completed effect is intriguing and inviting and the patio has seating all around. It’s the best place in the park for a closeup view of the bridge and can be a mesmerizing experience when the cargo ships make the slow voyage under the bridge.
Design Creates Challenges
The second area was extremely challenging because it was designed so that any lines that were not precisely lined up would throw the entire concept out of alignment. The first challenge was double and triple checking the form work making sure all the form material was laser straight as well as precisely aligned. This part of the project consisted of a 2,200 sq. ft. circular area utilizing both the Bomanite Boardwalk 11-inch Wide pattern and the Bomanite Boardwalk 6-inch Narrow pattern. Using concealed control joints created the seamless Boardwalk area eliminating the “ugly” wide material joints that would most likely require high maintenance caulking and eliminate the effect of looking like real wood planks.
The second challenge was there is a raised step-up stage area that added to the technical difficulty factor. For the Bomanite Boardwalk 6-inch Narrow pattern, the colors used were Light Ash with a Forest Brown highlight color. Colors chosen for the Bomanite Boardwalk 11-inch Wide pattern were Sienna and a Forest Brown highlight color. The project looked so much like real wood decking that during construction many people were asking where Beyond Concrete purchased the “lumber”.
Dennis Collins Park Now Has Amenities
Design features of Dennis P. Collins Park renovation include a new picnic area along with a cornhole competition area, a sand volleyball court, two baseball fields, several playground areas for the kids, tennis courts, drinking fountains, restrooms, bicycle racks, solar charging stations, and two enclosed state-of-the-art dog parks with agility training equipment and replica fire hydrants. One dog park is for smaller dogs, the other for larger dogs, and once you and your dog are inside the double gated enclosure, the dogs can be off leash. Many gym quality exercise stations can be found along a meandering walkway that connects all the focal points of the park. One of the most welcome amenities is the ample bench seating that can be found throughout the park with the added bonus of a serene, peaceful view of the water and boat traffic.
Dennis Collins Park Has History
The park is named for Dennis P. Collins whose four terms in office made him the longest-serving Mayor in Bayonne city history. He served 16 years as Mayor and 12 years prior to that on the Bayonne City Council. In 2007 the United States Congress even named the city’s Main Post Office in his honor. The park was once the site of Uncle Milty’s Playland, also known as Bergen Point Amusement Park, a popular attraction for local residents and visitors. The Sirius Dog Park at Dennis P. Collins Park is named in honor of “Sirius,” a Yellow Labrador that died on September 11, 2001, detecting bombs in New York.
Award Winning Decorative Concrete
Beyond Concrete earned the 2021 Best Bomanite Imprint Systems Project Silver Award for this intricate and highly detailed decorative concrete solution. This completed project will provide the community many years of improved recreational enjoyment and beauty with the crowning jewel of the two new patios
