Cover Photo By Glen Frieson
NEWARK – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated the “Ronald L. Rice Sports Complex” in Essex County Vailsburg Park in honor of retired State Senator Ronald L. Rice on Friday, October 14th.
At the time of his retirement on August 31st, Rice had served as the District 28 representative for 35 years. The park is currently undergoing a complete renovation with new football, baseball and softball fields and a rubberized running track being constructed. The complex will be the home field for the Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology as well as continued to be used by local and youth recreation programs and the general public.
“Senator Rice was a strong and tireless advocate for his constituents, the City of Newark and Essex County. He was a trailblazer and icon who shined the light on inequality and injustice and did not compromise his ideals or principles,” DiVincenzo said. “As County Executive, I have named buildings and fields after people who made a positive difference in our community and Ron Rice definitely is one of those people. To name this sports complex that is in the heart of his district is a fitting and lasting tribute,” he added.
“This is such an honor. I grew up in this city and at one time people like me were not allowed to come to this park,” Rice said. “There are always going to be disagreements, but you have to stick to your ideals,” he added.
Rice was a member of the NJ State Senate for 35 years and is the longest serving Black lawmaker in New Jersey history. He previously served 18 years as Chairman of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus. Rice has been a strong advocate for social justice issues and supported the construction of recreational facilities in urban areas as a way to lift blighted communities. He backed clean energy for neighborhoods planted atop Superfund sites and was a torchbearer for boosting diversity in law enforcement.
Before being elected as a State Senator, he was Deputy Mayor of Newark for four years, a Newark City Councilman for 16 years, a Newark Police Detective for eight years and served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Sergeant.
A plaque at the site begins with a quote from President Barack Obama: “That’s when America soars, when we look out for one another and we take care of each other, when we root for one another’s success, when we strive to do better and to be better than the generation that came before us and try to build something better for generations to come, that’s why we do what we do. That’s the whole point of public service.”
It continues: “Ronald L. Rice dedicated his life to serving his community. As a young man, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and attained the rank of Sergeant while serving in Vietnam and then joined the Newark Police Department upon returning home. Wanting to give more, Ron sought public office as a member of the Newark City Council, Deputy Mayor of Newark and NJ State Senator.
“As an elected official, he has been a trailblazer, fighting for racial equality, social justice and revitalization of urban areas. Never backing down from his principles, he was not afraid to stand alone on an issue and became an independent and respected voice in Trenton. At the time of his retirement in 2022, Rice had served 35 years in the State Senate, which made him the longest serving African American legislator in New Jersey history and the second longest legislator currently serving in the Senate.
“Naming the ‘Ronald L. Rice Sports Complex’ in Essex County Vailsburg Park, in the heart of his Legislative District 28, is a fitting tribute to his commitment to the residents and city he loved.”
Essex County Vailsburg Park is located in Newark’s West Ward, which is the heart of District 28, which Rice has represented for the last 35 years. Currently under construction in the park is a new athletic complex that includes a football/soccer field, baseball field and softball field – all with synthetic grass surfaces – and a rubberized running track. The facilities will be available to the community and will become the home base for student athletic programs at Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology and the other county vocational schools. It is scheduled to be completed in December 2022.
