The word out of Newark is that Essex County is soon going to be soliciting bids for a new operator of the kitchen in the Verona Park Boathouse.
You might remember that, last May, when the county announced $1 million in upgrades to the park lighting and boathouse deck, the Verona Park Conservancy pressed County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. for upgrades to the food service as well.
According to a county representative, the specs on the contract should be advertised this week or next. If you want to be on the bidders’ list, you should call the county’s Office of Purchasing at 973-621-5100 and they will mail the notice to you.
The county has made efforts to improve the food options in its parks. In October 2011, McCloone’s Restaurants opened a new eatery in South Mountain Reservation overlooking the old Orange Reservoir. Last week, the county awarded Knowles Restaurants a new 30-year contract to run the Highlawn Pavilion in Eagle Rock Reservation.
