Jesse Allen Park

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Credit: Frances Roberts

Surf, snow and—concrete? Sunny beaches and fresh powder are often out of reach for many city dwellers, but Newark's new Jesse Allen Park may just turn "bored" athletes into "board" athletes (check out images from New Jersey Star-Ledger photographer, Mitsu Yasukawa, who captured some thrilling skateboard action on the park's opening day.)

In 2009 The Trust for Public Land celebrated the first of three planned renovations of the eight-acre park. In fall of 2012, we completed the second phase of renovations that includes new lawns and landscaping, a playground and water play spray area, basketball courts, sports lighting, and adult fitness equipment. The New York Jets and MetLife are supporting the addition of the fitness equipment through a $40,000 donation.

NY Jets Hometown Huddle event at Jesse Allen Park.

Credit: Jordan Lindsay

In October 2012, Jets players, members of the New Jersey National Guard, and children from the Boys and Girls Club of Newark worked side-by-side to complete an outdoor Fitness Zone in Jesse Allen Park now open to all area residents.

The third phase of the project—replacing the current field with state-of-the-art synthetic turf—will begin once all funding is in place. The New York Jets, through the NFL Grassroots program at LISC, provided the initial funding for this part of the project, but additional funds are still needed.