In New Jersey, competitive rowing started in Newark...
[To the left] A sketch from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper dated October 31st, 1868. The first New Jersey State wide regatta was held in Newark, NJ on Saturday October 10th, 1868. Brick City Rowing, with the help of our community partners, will reclaim a bit of Newark's history by bringing the sport and its values back to our community.
NYTIMES - July 6th, 1886 - Races for Amateurs Oarsmen
OPEN REGATTA OF THE PASSAIC RIVER ROWING ASSOCIATION:
"The twelfth annual open regatta yesterday of the Passaic River Amateur Rowing Association, of Newark, brought together the crack crews of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The wooded side of the river and the spacious boathouse balconies were filled with people, and the surface of the water reflected the flashing oars of countless small boats..."
Passaic River in Newark, NJ circa 1936 (on the left):
Because of our municipal (Mayor Baraka & his staff) and county (County Executive DiVincenzo & his staff) leadership, ward council members, and community organizations [such as the Ironbound Community Corporation, Riverfront Revival, and the Friends of Riverfront Steering Committee] the City of Newark has already begun to revitalize our community's relationship with the Passaic River. We acknowledge and appreciate their hard work to date and are ready to stand at their side in the fight for making Newark stronger and increasing opportunities for our community.