HAZLET, NJ — Brookside Park was officially renamed on Saturday in honor of Madelyn Montanaro, a Hazlet girl who died in a house fire in 2023.
Madelyn, 6, passed away on Jan. 14, 2023, as a result of the fire, along with her mother, Jacqueline, who died after running back into the house to try and save her.
On Saturday, Madelyn’s father, William Montanaro, and Madelyn’s sister, Elena, were joined by Hazlet Township officials, neighbors, and friends at the ceremony, which officially renamed Brookside Park to “Mady Rose Park” in Madelyn’s honor.
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According to the Montanaro family, Madelyn visited the park frequently and loved playing there with her sister and friends.
“While I never personally had the privilege to meet Mady or her mom, Jackie, it’s become evident by the outpouring of love by the community that her impact was great, even at such a young age,” Hazlet Deputy Mayor Peter Terranova said in opening remarks.
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“I’ve been told Mady and her sister Elena loved this park in the same way a child finds a stray puppy roaming in the streets and cares for it instantly,” Terranova continued. “This was Mady’s park. The town would like everyone to know, now and forever, that it will be Mady’s park.”
Madelyn’s father, William, spoke at the ceremony as well, thanking the community for their support over the years.
“I just want to thank everybody for being here,” Montanaro said. “The familiar faces and everybody that we have seen over the years and have worked with — you know, it’s indicative of the amazing people that everybody here is. It’s an incredible honor.”
During his speech, Montanaro reflected on his late wife Jacqueline’s legacy, saying that it’s amazing to know that she’s been enshrined in the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., while Madelyn has been honored at home.
“My hope is that all the kids and everybody in the neighborhood get to come here and enjoy it,” Montanaro said. “We’re gonna be working with the town and local businesses to really build this place up, because it’s a beautiful spot.”
Attendees at Saturday’s ceremony ranged from friends and family to Township officials, neighbors, police and firefighters.
Those in attendance gathered around the park and down the sidewalk as they waited for the new sign to be unveiled.
“The amount of people that show up for our events, and something as touching as this — it’s a family of support,” Terranova told Patch. “We are very happy. We consider ourselves fortunate to have the residents that we do.”
Amongst those in attendance were former teachers of Madelyn who knew her from the time she was 18 months old to her toddler years.
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The teachers told Patch that Madelyn was “spunky,” “eager to learn,” “fun-loving,” and had “the greatest smile.”
Now a student in Hazlet, Madelyn’s sister Elena will pass by the park’s new sign on her way to school each day.
“I’m extremely humbled and honored,” Montanaro told Patch. “You know, my daughter played here and it’s really important now that we’re rebuilding our home, still staying in the neighborhood, that Elena gets to see her sister every day and honor her.”
“It’s amazing that they both get to live on like this,” Montanaro continued. “And we get to honor them forever.”
Mady Rose Park is located at 16 Brookside Avenue, Hazlet.
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