Newark Riverfront Park

With few green spaces in a densely populated area, New Jersey’s largest city was cut off from its historic lifeblood—the Passaic River—and desperately needed more parks. To answer this need, Trust for Public Land joined with the city, county parks, and community groups to create the thriving Newark Riverfront Park.

The 16-acre park is a vibrant, green urban space that gives residents access to the riverfront for the first time in decades. It attracts visitors with scenic views, a popular boardwalk, and a host of activities, including music festivals and art shows, yoga and Zumba classes, chess matches, hip-hop showcases, and walking and boat tours.

With funds from numerous sources, including $2.3 million raised by Trust for Public Land, the park opened in 2013 on land that had once been a brownfield bordering a Superfund cleanup site. Today, it offers welcoming spaces for adults and children to play, including a baseball field, two playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, and a soccer field. A 2017 expansion added more green space and healthy recreational options—a Wellness Trail and Fitness Zone.

The Newark Riverfront Park is still growing and is ultimately expected to cover 40 acres, creating even more chances for people from Newark and beyond to connect with nature and one another.