By Jaimie Julia Winters
As a joint project between the town and local school district, Kearny officially opened the newly completed Kearny Boathouse Dock on Passaic Avenue in mid-October. Fully funded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres program, the $1.4 million project aims to transform the Passaic River waterfront into a valuable resource for local and neighboring rowers.
The new dock, measuring 240 feet, is one of the largest public school docks in the U.S. Its composite decking makes it weather-resistant and environmentally friendly. The project enhances access to the Passaic River for crews from Kearny recreation and high school, Nutley, and Belleville, who currently utilize the facility for practice and regattas. The design includes flood-resilient features such as a steel bulkhead and bank stabilization to protect against flooding.
“It’s a project built to last and built to connect communities,” according to a press release on the reopening in October.
Additionally, the grounds have been landscaped with native pollinator plantings to benefit local wildlife. A new gazebo equipped with a soil-recharging drainage system has also been constructed. Design work for the crew house dock began in 2022, with Neglia Engineering overseeing the project.
The town is currently exploring funds to upgrade the boathouse, Parks and Recreation Director Ralph A. Cattafi said.
Along with hosting high school and recreational crew teams, the boathouse dock held open rows, when the public was invited to get out on the river and explore the sport.
Cattafi said that Kearny’s program is currently without a coach, but the department will soon be advertising for the position. Last year, 75 kids signed up for the recreation program, including 48 girls and 27 boys.
