FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2006
ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES
BRANCH BROOK PARK PLAYGROUND AS THE
‘ESSEX COUNTY SHAKIL WILLIAMS PLAYGROUND’
12-Year-Old is Remembered for his Skill at Fishing and Personal Strength
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. remembered the spirit and enthusiasm of the late Shakil Williams by dedicating the Branch Brook Park playground on Clifton Avenue as the “Essex County Shakil Williams Playground” on Monday, May 22nd. An avid fisherman, the 12-year-old Williams was a regular participant in Essex County’s annual fishing derbies and was an 11-time derby champion.
“Shakil was a fun-loving kid who enjoyed playing in the park and casting his line for some fish – and he was a better fisherman than many of us will ever be. More importantly, for such a young child, he was a brave fighter who confronted his disease and never lost his spirit,” DiVincenzo said. “Naming this playground for Shakil is a lasting tribute and will provide joy and inspiration for future generations of young fishermen," he added.
“Shakil was a true soldier, a warrior. He fought his fight,” said his father, Kevin Brown. “From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you to Joe DiVincenzo, the freeholders and everyone who came to help when we were in need,” he added.
Known to everyone as “Shak,” Shakil Leonard Williams was born on December 16, 1993, and was a lifelong resident of Newark. He was an honor roll student at Peshine Avenue School in Newark and participated as a youth member of the African American Heritage Statewide Parade and Festival.
“Today we are celebrating the memory of Shakil Williams. He was a very loving child because he was surrounded by love. He showed us his strength and courage and his memory will last for years to come because of this playground,” said Essex County Vocational School Assistant Superintendent Ivan Holmes, who served as Principal of Peshine Avenue School when was a student there.
“There are kids in the hospital struggling for their life, just like Shakil did. Because of Shakil, I encourage you to spread the word about participating in blood drives and bone marrow drives so we can save lives,” said Donald Bernard, Chairman of the African American Heritage Statewide Parade and Festival. Bernard noted that this year’s parade and festival will be dedicated to Shakil Williams.
Shakil enjoyed the sport of fishing and regularly participated in the annual Essex County Fishing Derbies held in Branch Brook Park, Weequahic Park, Verona Park and Grover Cleveland Park. He was proud of the 11 trophies he won at the fishing derbies.
Shakil was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 11 and fought bravely to overcome the disease while waiting for a bone marrow transplant. When he became hospitalized, he brought his fishing derby trophies to his hospital room for inspiration. On December 18, 2005, two days after his 12th birthday, Shakil passed away.
Under DiVincenzo’s leadership, several projects have been undertaken to upgrade Essex County’s Branch Brook Park. The baseball/softball complex in the Middle Division was reconfigured and the fields were modernized and reopened in April 2006. Synthetic grass surfaces were installed on two fields and new press boxes and fencing was installed. The historic restoration of the Park Avenue Bridge was completed in 2005. Entrance enhancements, new fencing and landscaping along Clifton Avenue and a major improvement project to clear debris along Lake Street have made the park more inviting. Essex County also has partnered with the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners River Restoration Program to address flooding conditions along the Second River in the Northern Division by clearing blockages from beneath a series of pedestrian bridges.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 17 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range and an off-leash dog facility. Branch Brook Park was created in 1895 and is the first park in Essex County’s system. At 359.72 acres, it is the largest county park in Essex.
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