Town of Kearny

Recreation Department

Ralph A. Cattafi | Director of Parks and Recreation

Ralph A. Cattafi started his career within the Town of Kearny Recreation Department in 1998 being appointed Director of Parks and Recreation in 2015. Ralph attended Franklin School and Kearny High School. Ralph continued his education at Kean University graduating with a BA degree in Recreation Administration. Ralph has the following certifications: Rutgers Safety Clinician (Sports Awareness for Education Today’s Youth), Certified Pool Operator, and a member of the New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association and National Recreation Parks Association.
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201-955-7983
rcattafi@kearnynj.org
201-955-2379
Town Hall

The Town of Kearny Department of Parks and Recreation is responsible for the coordination of recreational sports and cultural programs for all residents of the Town of Kearny throughout the year. The mission of the Town of Kearny Department of Parks and Recreation is to improve the quality of life for our residents through the provision of high quality recreational facilities and a vast range of recreational programs.

Click below to open forms.
Recreation Department Forms
Application for Ballfields
Application for Coaches and Volunteers
Recreation Program Application

Announcements

The Kearny Recreation Department is in constant need of coaches and volunteers for our programs. All coaches/volunteers are required to submit a Coaches/Volunteer Application and a fingerprint background check. Please consider volunteering in any of our programs.

Office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

The Kearny Recreation Commission Board meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Town Council Chambers at 7:30pm.

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Recreational Programs

Art

open to all boys and girls grades pre-K to 8.
Class sessions are offered throughout the year with registrations in September, November, February and April. All classes are held at the Hartung Recreation Center.

Basketball

open to all boys & girls grades 1 through 8.
Registrations start in October at the Recreation Department. Practices and games are held at Schuyler, Franklin and Washington Schools.

Bowling

our 12-week program open to all boys & girls ages 5 through 14 and co-sponsored with North Arlington Bowl. The bowl in offered in September and January.

Cheerleading

Open to girls grades 2 through 8.
This program parallels our Kearny Generals Football Program. Registrations and Tryouts are held in June at Veteran’s Field.

Fall Baseball

open to all boys and girls ages 7 through 12
This season runs September through October with registrations will start in June & tryouts in August.

Fall Girls’ Softball

Open to all girls’ grades 5 through 8.
The season runs September to November

Flag Football

open to boys and girls ages 4 through 6.
The program starts in September with registrations beginning in July.

General Football

open to all boys & girls ages 7 through 14.
We offer pee wee, lightweight, junior varsity and varsity teams. Registrations start in May with the season starting in August with practices & home games at Veteran’s Field on Belgrove Drive.

Girls’ Softball

All girls grades Pre-K through 8 are eligible to play.
Registrations starts in February. Games are played at Manor Park, Veteran’s Field and Gunnell Oval

Golf

Open/Senior Golf available to all Kearny residents 21 years of age and older.
The Recreation Department covers the cost for all power carts only. All other fees are golfer’s responsibility. Golf play is on Thursday’s at Weequahic Park Golf course in Newark or Hendricks Golf course in Belleville.

Karate

Open to all boys & girls ages 5 through 15.
This 10- week program is offered 3x throughout the year September, January and March. Classes are at the Hartung Recreation Center.

Little League, Minor League, Tee-Ball

Baseball -We offer Tee-Ball, Minor League and Little League Baseball for all boys and girls ages 5 through 12. Registration start in January with Little League tryouts in March.

Pool

the Open Pool Program is offered all year round. In the Fall and Spring seasons pool is open on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Our Summer season runs Monday through Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pool restrictions apply. Badges are required and may be purchased at the recreation office only.

Senior Baseball

Open to all boys and girls ages 13, 14 and 15 with tryouts held in March.
All games are played at the Sandy Juliano Field, Gunnell Oval

Street Hockey

Open to all boys and girls ages 5 through 14.
All games are played November through December at the Corbett Hockey Rink.

Wrestling

Open to boys and girls ages 6 through 14.
Program starts in November. Practices held at Lincoln Middle School located at 221 Beech Street on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings.

Yoga

This program will provide instruction in the Art of Yoga. Open to all residents 13 years of age and older held at the Hartung Recreation Center. Our Yoga program is offered two or three sessions per year.

Youth Soccer

Our Kearny Youth Soccer Program is open to all boys and girls grades pre-k to 8. The season begins in September with registrations held from May to July.
Special Events

4th of July Firework Celebration

Our 4th of July Celebration is held on 4th of July at Veteran’s Field located on Belgrove Drive. Our celebration begins at 6:00 p.m. with face painting, pony rides, with music from a top concert Band with our event being capped off with our Fireworks extravaganza around 9:10 p.m.

Fishing Derby

Co-sponsored with the WH/SB Optimist club our fishing derby is open to all boys and girls ages 5 to 12. The event is held in West Hudson Park on a Sunday in June.

Minor League

Open to all 7 & 8 year old boys & girls.
Registrations start in January.

Halloween Parade

The Halloween Parade is held on Sunday before or on Halloween at 2:00 p.m. Our Halloween Parade starts at Woodland Avenue and travels north along Kearny Avenue towards the reviewing stand located at the Town Hall.

Holiday Celebration

This event is held on the first Saturday in December starting at 12:00 p.m. at Lincoln School Auditorium. Open to all boys and girls of the Town of Kearny grades Pre-K to 5. Come join us for the Holiday Season with music, magic, and Dance Show prior to Santa arriving to greet to all children.
Recreational Complexes

Archery Range

located at Kearny Riverbank Park on Passaic Avenue near Bergen Avenue. This facility allows for the set-up and practice of bow and arrow target practices. No permit required.

Corbett Street/Roller Hockey Facility

located at Kearny Riverbank Park on Passaic Avenue near Afton Street.

Frank A. Vincent Marina

located at Kearny Riverbank Park on Passaic Avenue near Bergen Avenue, allows public to launch and retrieve of boats up to 22’ in length with trailer and hitch.

Gunnell Oval Complex

located at 490 Schuyler Avenue. The complex is home to baseball fields, soccer fields, softball fields, basketball courts, tennis court, volleyball court, playground area and skate park.

Harvey Field Complex

located at 280 Schuyler Avenue. The complex is home to soccer & baseball fields and has a playground area for young children.

Hartung Recreation Center

located at 925 Passaic Avenue near Belleville Turnpike. The Hartung Center host various recreational programs such as; Karate, Yoga, and Art

Michael Branin Memorial Soccer Facility

located at Kearny Riverbank Park on Passaic Avenue between Bergen Avenue and Afton Street. This facility is used for practices, soccer games by permit or open play..

Veteran’s Field

located on Belgrove Drive between Bergen Avenue and Afton Street. The complex has little league baseball field, combination football, baseball field and softball field

Dog Park & Playground Complexes

Dog Park

located in the Kearny Riverbank Park between Park Avenue & S. Midland Avenue

Donald Scott Memorial Playground

located on Belgrove Drive & Park Avenue.

Bell Playground

located on Stewart Avenue between Chestnut Street & Devon Street.

Dean Park

located on the corners of Elm Street & Columbia Avenue.

Coogan Playground (manor park)

located on W. Bennett Avenue between Hamilton Avenue & Jefferson Avenue

Dowd Playground

located on Devon Terrace & Hoyt Street between Davis Avenue & Devon Street.

Miglin Playground

located on the corner of Johnston Avenue & Sheridan Avenue.

Pettigrew Playground

located on the corner of Highland Avenue & Woodland Avenue.

Rogers Playground

located on the corner of Hickory Street & Oakwood Avenue.

Tappan Playground

located on Tappan Street between Davis Avenue & Devon Street.

Windsor/Grove Playground

located on the corner of Windsor & Grove Streets.

Dog Park and playgrounds are open 9:00 a.m. to dusk. Please be advised on inclement weather days all Dog Park & playgrounds may be closed.
Parklands

Arlington Depot Park

located on Garafola Place between Elm & Forest Streets.

Al Stewart Ecology Park

located on the east side of Passaic Avenue near South Midland Avenue.

Kearny Riverbank Park

located on the west side of Passaic Avenue between Bergen Avenue & Belleville Turnpike. Listed below are sections of Riverbank Park dedicated to many dignitaries and veterans:

  • Christopher Columbus Park.
  • Irish Heritage Park –dedicated to Reverend Monsignor Joseph A. Carroll
  • Centennial Orchard Park
  • Frank M. Cardoza Park
  • Keating Cove – dedicated to Bernard J. Keating
  • Chantilly Park— dedicated to the memory of the Battle of Chantilly
  • Wallace Glen— dedicated to Sir William Wallace and Councilman David A. Wallace
  • Joseph M. Healey – dedicated to the former Mayor & Councilman
  • Daniel T. Sansone—dedicated to the former Mayor & Councilman
  • Henry J. Hill—dedicated to the former Mayor & Councilman
  • Norman A. Doyle— dedicated to the former Councilman
  • Veteran’s Memorial Park—dedicated to all Veterans

Memorial Park

located on Kearny Avenue & Beech St. near Quincy Avenue.

Town Hall Bi-Centennial Park

located on Kearny Avenue next to Town Hall.

Washington Park

located on Washington Avenue and Washington Place.

Park permits for events are required for all most park locations at the recreation office.
Registration Fees

The following programs are all $35.00

  • Baseball including tee Ball, Minor League, Little League and Senior Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cheerleading
  • Fall Baseball
  • Fall Girls Softball
  • Flag Football
  • Generals Football
  • Girls’ Softball
  • Lacrosse
  • Street Hockey
  • Wrestling
  • Youth Soccer

The following programs and fees are:

  • Art Class 10 week session $60.00/$90.00
  • Bowling 12 weeks @ $8.00. a $2.00 fee will be issued if absent.
  • Golf $10.00 for seniors and $20.00 for all adults 21 to 61.
  • Karate 10 week session for $65.00
  • Pool wrist bands
    • ages 0 to 12 =$20.00
    • ages 13 to 61 = $30.00
    • seniors 61 & older = $10.00
  • Summer All Day Program
    • $150.00 per week for first child & $125.00 for each additional child
  • Yoga class 10 week session
    • $70.00 for one night
    • $90.00 for two nights

Staff

Ralph A. Cattafi, Director of Parks and Recreation
Lionita Oliveira, Secretary

RECREATION COMMISSIONERS

Lyla DeCastro Lawdanski, Chairwoman
Lewis Battista, Vice Chairman
Joanne O’Malley
Colleen McClelland
Nelson Rodrigues
Joseph Nigro
Kevin McKenna
Michael Mara, Alternate
Vacant, Alternate

Recreation Council Committee

Councilman Richard Konopka | Council Committee Chair
Councilman Peter Santana
Councilwoman Eileen Eckel

Recreation Commission Meeting dates are held on Wednesday evenings starting at 7:00pm Town Council Chambers 402 Kearny Avenue, Town Hall.

Upcoming Meetings

Feb
20
Recreation Commission Meeting– Canceled
Mar
20
Recreation Commission Meeting
Apr
17
Recreation Commission Meeting
May
15
Recreation Commission Meeting
Jun
19
Recreation Commission Meeting
Jul
17
Recreation Commission Meeting
Sep
18
Recreation Commission Meeting
Oct
16
Recreation Commission Meeting
Nov
13
Recreation Commission Meeting
Dec
18
Recreation Commission Meeting
Jan
15
Recreation Commission Meeting
Click below to expand.
Meeting Agendas
Wednesday, January 16, 2019