On January 12,1909 a joint committee representing various Hudson County groups met at the Twelfth Ward Democratic Club, 471 Central Ave. For a year this committee had been informally discussing the vast Suckley Estate straddling the Jersey City-west Hoboken border, as a county park site. The main barrier to the proposed park was the delay of the Hudson County freeholders in the furnishing the Park Commission the necessary capitol. Consequently the park commission could not purchase the Suckley Estate and other smaller properties that made up the site. At this meeting the joint committee established a formal organization to petition the agencies involved to secure this 22-acre tract.

Some of the groups represented were Hudson City Business Men's Association; Twelfth Ward Improvement Association; Western Slope Improvement Association; Hudson County Democratic Association and the Town Improvement Association of West Hoboken. Meetings were scheduled for the second and fourth Tuesday of each month and the members agreed upon ten cents as monthly dues. The members also decided to encourage anyone interested in the project to join.

Assemblyman William R. Davidson was the principal speaker at the fledgling organizations first meeting. After declaring that Hudson City has more force in back of its claim for a county park than any other section on the county, Davidson cited several natural advantages of the Suckley Estate and it's adaptability for park purposes. " To place a park on this magnificent site would be paying investment for the county, " said Davidson. " In short time the viaduct now in course of construction at Fourteenth Street, Hoboken will be completed.

It will come in at the center of the estate and will bring in a large part of the population of Hoboken. " It will cause and increase in real estate values in the vicinity as well as create desirable properties. This will result in increased taxes and the county will well afford the money, and its finances are in a sound and flourishing condition. It was in this belief that the Suckley Park Association was born and Dr. Ulamor Allen was chosen as its President.

Washington Park has an encouraging history. It show the effectiveness of community action culminating in positive results. Clearly the Park did not  grow overnight; its concept was cultivated and nurtured by a group of enthusiastic and persistent Hudson City residents inspired by their leader, Dr. Ulamor Allen.