Eric LeGrand 'Believe' Park dedicated

• The Eric LeGrand "Believe" Park was dedicated on the 6th anniversary of his spinal cord injury.
• The park is located in the Avenel section of Woodbridge where LeGrand was raised.
• A defensive tackle, LeGrand was injured on Oct. 16, 2010 in a Rutgers vs. Army game.
• The park will have playground equipment for all abilities.

WOODBRIDGE – Six years ago to the day that Eric LeGrand's life changed, the park where he played as a child now bears his name.

Once known as the "Fifth District Park," the Eric LeGrand "Believe" Park was dedicated Sunday in honor of the 26-year-old who has inspired "the world," according to Mayor John E. McCormac.

"It's crazy to say that six years ago today was my injury," LeGrand said. "This date is when it happened. Around 3 o'clock. It's crazy to think that six years later they are naming a park after me. We are not here to mourn what happened. We are here to celebrate and that's what it's all about. Giving back and being part of something special."

On Oct. 16, 2010, LeGrand, a defensive tackle for Rutgers University, collided with the ball carrier, Malcolm Brown, on the kickoff to Army. LeGrand suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed. The next day, he managed to say "I'll be back" to his mother, Karen LeGrand.

Though not back on the football field as a player, LeGrand and his determined recovery has been an inspirational journey. He has regained movement in his shoulders and sensation throughout his body and continues to work doggedly on someday walking again. LeGrand, who was signed symbolically by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012 and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine in 2011, has become a motivational speaker as well as sports broadcaster for Rutgers University football games. His jersey #52 was retired by Rutgers in 2013 and LeGrand has been the recipient of many state and national honors and awards.

LeGrand graduated from Rutgers in 2014 with a degree in labor relations and formed “Team LeGrand,” a charity in conjunction with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The 2016 Walk to Believe in June saw more than 400 walkers bring the annual event's total to more than $54,000 that will go toward finding cures for spinal cord injuries.

"I can't describe what this young man has done," McCormac said at the park dedication. "At a time when an injury that he had, when 99 percent of people would give up, Eric perserveres on. He has become a remarkable role model, a remarkable inspiration for everybody. we are incredible proud because of what he means to Woodbridge."

Making memories

The park dedication holds a special place in LeGrand's heart. It was at this field where LeGrand first played football with friends and honed his skills among the older neighborhood kids.

"I remember when my mom told me that Cory approached her about the whole naming of the park, I was like "Really?'," LeGrand said. "This is the park I grew up in. It's such an honor and made me reflect back to when I first came here when my mom let me come off of Homestead (Avenue) in third grade. I was coming over here — me and a bunch of friends. I remember hopping the fences and hitting foul balls over the fences — sorry for anybody's house I used to hit when I would hit homeruns. It makes you think back — playing basketball and playing football. That's the game I played in. It got me better. And it always gave me a place to stay out of trouble.

"This is where I am from and this is where my people are," he added. "They always say it takes a village to raise a kid, and this is where I'm from so this is all you guys representing who I am and the person I am today as I try to go out into the world and inspire them to be the best person they can be on a daily basis."

With new signage, fencing and separate playground areas suitable for toddlers and elementary school-age children, the Eric LeGrand "Believe" Park also will see a handicapped accessible playground installed in the spring. Excited and honored about the project as a whole, LeGrand said he is pleased to see that special needs children and even disabled parents will be able to play safely at the park.

"Handicapped accessible — growing up there was no such thing," he said. "But, everyone of various abilities will be able to get in this place and play. Even somene who has a wheelchair and a family — they can come and play with them. That's what it's all about."

The idea to renovate the park was conceived by Councilman Cory S. Spillar, the 3rd Ward representative who also lives in the same fifth district neighborhood as LeGrand. Spillars' daughters Emily, 13, and Elizabeth, 11, deserve the credit for naming LeGrand as the honoree, Spillar said. That was sparked by a dinner conversation that took place nine months ago.

"We were talking about Frank G. Pelzman Memorial Park," he said. "Emily asked 'Why it was named Pelzman Park?' I explained that Frank was a great man, did a lot of things for Avenel and he lived basically three blocks away and we wanted to honor him. Then she asked 'What's the name of the park up the street?' I'm like, 'It's called 5th District Park. It really doesn't have an identity. I'd really love to do something with it, with everything getting transformed.'"

Emily suggested "Emily Spillar Memorial Park," and while her dad thought that sentiment was amusing, he informed her that the "memorial" means "you are not here anymore." He suggested naming the park after someone "from Avenel who had done a lot" and "almost simultaneously" his daughters said "How about Eric LeGrand?"

That was a "touchdown," Spillar said.

"I'm a little emotional — cause I have lived in Avenel my whole life," he added. "I live on this block and to see everyone come out here. It is just overwhleming."

"It was probably the best idea I have heard in 10 years as mayor," McCormac said. "It was a very easy 'yes.'"

READ: Woodbridge demolishes building for new arts center

READ: Obama tells Eric LeGrand to keep 'inspiring' at Rutgers graduation​

READ: Led by Eric LeGrand, Rutgers graduates largest class

Beyond one person

The Eric LeGrand "Believe" Park is not only a dedication to the man, but also serves as a symbol of the reviltalization happening in the Avenel section of the township. The park is adjacent to the Avenel Arts Village and Station Loft at Avenel, a $50 million project that is a mix of apartment spaces, art-themed shops and a performing arts center, complete with studios, galleries, performance and rehearsal space. Previously, the area was the site of General Dynamics, a long-vacant 27-acre industrial complex. The first phase of the new community is expected to be completed by early 2017.

"If you remember what this area looked like heading out  Avenel Street, it was nothing to be proud of," McCormac said. "It was awful and now it is beautiful. What's been done here — Avenel is getting a complete makeover."

"Now we are really blowing up Avenel to make it the community it should be," LeGrand said.

Spillar said General Contractor Dave Schember and his crew at the Station Loft project were instrumental in helping complete the park project as well as the team effort from the various township departments. Vito Cimilucca, director of the parks and recreation department, was the one who conceived adding the handicapped accessible playground addition, McCormac said.

Earlier Sunday, the Mayor and Municipal Council unveiled the second mural at the Avenel Street train underpass. Student and volunteer artists, along with project heads Kim Zadigian of Westfield and Amanda Hatzikyriakou of North Plainfield, were recognized as adding to the revitalization effort.

Along with LeGrand, McCormac, Spillar and members of the municipal council, Assemblyman Craig (19th District), Township Department of Public Works, Parks and Recreation staff, 5th District neighbors as well as LeGrand's family and friends celebrated in the renovated park with music, lunch, giveaways and inflatables.

Staff Writer Cheryl Makin: 732-565-7256; cmakin@mycentraljersey.com