For more than four decades, a stretch of land between Broadway and Oraton Street sat entirely unused—a silent, fenced-off reminder of unfulfilled potential. But this week, the sound of machinery and the cheers of North Ward residents signaled the dawn of a new era.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka, alongside the Trust for Public Land (TPL), officially broke ground on Broadway Park, a brand-new, two-acre recreational oasis located directly adjacent to Luis Muñoz Marín Elementary School. Joined by a robust coalition of community organizations, civic dignitaries, and local families, city leaders celebrated the official resurrection of a space that has been dormant since the early 1980s.
When completed in the Spring of 2027, the park will completely transform a series of abandoned lots into a world-class public resource.
“Today our shovels don’t just turn soil,” Mayor Baraka declared during the ceremony. “They are turning dreams and wishes into a dynamic, high-value recreational green space for more than 7,000 residents within a 10-minute walk from here. More than 2,000 of them are children. And 62% are considered well below the income median.”
Built In the Image of the Neighborhood
What sets Broadway Park apart from standard municipal projects is its deeply democratic design process. Rather than relying solely on outside architects, the Trust for Public Land embedded itself into the neighborhood, hosting design workshops with the real experts of play: the local youth.
TPL collaborated intimately with students from both Luis Muñoz Marín Elementary School and Elliot Street Elementary School. The children brainstormed, drew, and advocated for their ideal park features. Their collective imagination resulted in a master plan focused entirely on recreation, community, culture, comfort, and physical access.
“Every playground feature, walkway, and garden is rooted in the boundless imagination of the students, advocates, and residents who recognized an opportunity to create a vibrant park for generations to enjoy,” noted Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “Once completed, Broadway Park will stand as a flourishing monument to the power of community collaboration.”
World-Class Amenities for the North Ward
The final two-acre footprint reads like a wish list for healthy urban living. To combat extreme summer temperatures and support local wellness, the park will feature an expansive array of modern amenities:
- Active Recreation: A state-of-the-art playground boasting a slide uniquely embedded into the natural slope of the park’s topography, a dedicated exercise area, and a whimsical musical play area.
- Community and Climate Relief: A vibrant community garden, a peaceful meditation zone, and a massive splash pad to keep neighborhood children cool during peak summer heat waves.
- Cultural Infrastructure: A large central lawn specifically graded to host outdoor movie nights, community theater, and live musical performances.
The park will also serve as a literal extension of the classroom. “Luis Muñoz Marín students were empowered to take ownership of the concept and design of this park,” explained Principal Daniel Guerra. “The park will serve as an extension of our school, supporting outdoor learning, physical activity, and community engagement.”
A Masterclass in Multi-Agency Collaboration
Shattering the timeline of traditional urban renewal requires an immense collaborative engine. To ensure the park accurately reflects the energy and identity of the North Ward, a wide net of local stakeholders joined the effort.
TPL and the City worked hand-in-hand with the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs & Senior Services, North Ward Council Member Aníbal Ramos Jr.’s office, the Newark Police Division 2nd Precinct, the FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development, Ahavas Shalom, La Casa de Don Pedro, the Riverside Tenants Association, and Jannah on Grafton.
“This is part of a great expansion of park and open space in the Ward that also includes the construction of Sal Bontempo Park and the Essex Hudson Greenway,” stated Council Member Ramos.
The project’s funding is powered by a strategic mix of state resources and private philanthropy, anchored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program and TPL’s philanthropic partner, the PARC Foundation. Additional vital backing stems from the Victoria Foundation, The Community Foundation of New Jersey, and the F.M. Kirby Foundation, among others.
Local Art for Local Voices
To guarantee the space remains aesthetically tied to the culture of the community, public art will be woven throughout the construction phase and the park’s permanent layout. This initiative will be spearheaded by the City of Newark Division of Arts & Cultural Affairs, led by fayemi shakur, alongside Project for Empty Space and local block associations.
As construction begins, the North Ward can watch with pride as a long-neglected scar on the neighborhood’s geography transitions into a green sanctuary. In a city continuously shaping its own future, Broadway Park stands as definitive proof of what happens when a community is given the power to build its own backyard.
