Lafayette Street Elementary School

The Ironbound is a close-knit, multicultural community in Newark's East Ward, home to many families with children. The lack of play space is a problem throughout the East Ward. Yet despite the school’s location in a residential neighborhood, the school and surrounding blocks lack green space for children.

Originally built in 1848, the neighborhood's Lafayette Street Elementary School is New Jersey’s oldest continuously functioning school. The school has expanded to serve the growing student population but until recently, the playground was used as a parking lot, leaving only half of an acre of unimproved recreation space to serve over 1,100 children.

The Trust for Public Land has been working with students, parents, faculty, and the community to redesign the schoolyard and create a space for play, not parking—especially important in a neighborhood that lacks other playgrounds. We launched the project and campaign in October 2015 and in response, the Lafayette Street School and community members  have pledged their support to this effort.

You can help transform this schoolyard into a vibrant play area for the community to enjoy. Donate online here.