Roosevelt Park (Edison, New Jersey) facts for kids
Roosevelt Park is a large 217-acre park located in Edison, New Jersey. You can find it near Parsonage Road and U.S. Route 1, not far from the Menlo Park Mall. The park was created in 1933 and is the oldest park in the Middlesex County Park System. The county government owns and takes care of it.
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Park History: How it Began
In 1917, Middlesex County bought 208 acres of land to build a hospital for people with tuberculosis. This land was very quiet, with no buildings or many people around. However, plans for the hospital didn't work out.
Years later, in 1923, people decided to use the land for something else: the county's first park! They even started a fundraising campaign in 1924 to build a "Kiddie Keep Well camp" on part of the new park grounds. This camp was for children who needed special care.
Building the Park During Tough Times
Roosevelt Park was officially created in 1933. It received money from the Emergency Relief Administration (ERA). This was a government program that helped people find work during the Great Depression.
Later, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) also helped improve the park. These were other government programs that gave jobs to many people. Hundreds of young men from the CCC worked hard in the park in the mid-1930s. They helped with things like forestry and building.
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The front of the Roosevelt Park stone monument
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The side of the Roosevelt Park stone monument
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A close-up of the plaque on the front of the monument
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The plaque on the back of the monument
In 1933, the county built a large stone monument in the park. It honors the park itself and the men from the county who helped build it. You can find it along Route 1 North.
- The front of the monument has a plaque that says it's "Dedicated to the men of Middlesex County who donated their labors to develop this park."
- The back of the monument lists the year (1933) and the names of the county officials involved.
The Roosevelt Hospital Connection
The Roosevelt Hospital was built right next to the park. It was for tuberculosis patients and opened in 1937. The hospital was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 because of its importance.
The Light Dispelling Darkness Fountain
A famous fountain called Light Dispelling Darkness was added to the park in 1938. It was designed by sculptor Waylande Gregory and supported by the WPA. The fountain's theme is about how knowledge and science can bring light and understanding. This idea was inspired by nearby Menlo Park, where Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.
The fountain is 15 feet tall and 40 feet wide. It has six sculptures that represent things like "War," "Pestilence," and "Greed." The fountain was fixed up in 2004 after it had become old and worn.
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Waylande Gregory working on the fountain in 1937
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WPA artists helping to create the fountain in 1937
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The Light Dispelling Darkness fountain in 2016
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A close-up view of the fountain
Fun and Games at the Park
Roosevelt Park offers many ways to have fun and stay active!
- You can play baseball and soccer on its fields.
- There are picnic areas with tables and grills for outdoor meals.
- Miles of trails are perfect for biking, hiking, walking, and jogging.
- You'll find courts for basketball and tennis.
- You can go fishing in the eight-acre man-made lake.
- There's a rink for ice skating in winter and roller skating in warmer months.
Special Sports Facilities
"The Level Playing Fields" is a special area in the park. It has sports facilities designed for people with physical and other special needs. This includes a special artificial-turf baseball diamond with everything needed for a game.
The East Coast Greenway, a very long trail system that connects Maine and Florida, also passes through Roosevelt Park.
Art and Learning in the Park
A monument dedicated to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was placed in the park in 2003. This statue is nicknamed "Iron Mike." It shows a typical CCC worker holding a spade, honoring their hard work from 1933 to 1942.
You can also find two monuments dedicated to Marie Curie in the park. One was put up in 1938 and another in 1993.
The Middlesex County Veterans Memorial was unveiled in 2001. It has eight large concrete walls, with six representing different military services. The other two walls honor the county's veterans. There's also a fountain with sculptures.
The Lakeview School and Rehabilitation Center, which helps children with cerebral palsy, is located inside Roosevelt Park.
The Kiddie Keep Well Camp, which started in 1924, was created to help children who had tuberculosis.
In the summer, the county hosts outdoor theater festivals in the park. These include "Plays in the Park" and "Music in the Park," where you can enjoy shows and concerts outdoors.
