A petition by Newark residents Sydney Castro and Orin O’Connell

Background:

As neighbors and friend of Military Park, we are extremely disappointed with how the city and the Newark City Parks Foundation has neglected the upkeep of Military Park in the center of Downtown Newark, NJ.

Until 2019, Military Park was maintained through a private consortium that took on the project of revitalizing the Park. The revitalization project was completed in 2014. Prior to this revitalization, the Park fell into severe disrepair. The grounds were considered unsafe and therefore unsuitable for the general population's usage. 

Newark City Parks Foundation (NCPF) was established in April of 2021. In April of 2023, Newark City Parks Foundation took over the maintenance of the parks. The City of Newark maintained Military Park from 2019, when the private company managing Military Park left the City, until April 2023 when NCPF took on role. Since April of 2023, NCPF has hired a private company to maintain the parks. (Note, previously it was noted that the NCPF took over the park in 2019. The dates here have been corrected.)

Despite the Parks Foundation contracting regular clean up and police presence in Military Park, the Park continues to show signs of disrepair. Neighbors of the Park have requested more security during the day, for the Foundation to address the continued increase of homeless individuals, and address the destructive and disorderly conduct in the Park. Almost all of the grass in the Park is dead and the landscaping is seemingly uncared for. Additionally, the level of trash around the Park, in the grass, and landscaped areas is increasing. 

Despite these issues, the Parks Foundation continues to put emphasis on weekly community concerts and events over the general maintenance and safety of the Park. Not only are these events not addressing the main issues in the Park, the noise pollution from the events are driving out residents from the surrounding buildings. While we are not against these community programs, we also believe events should not be held to the detriment of our neighbors and we believe compromises can be made. 

Despite numerous meetings and requests from the Park's neighbors, the Newark City Parks Foundation refuses to take the requests, suggestions and concerns into consideration. 

We urge the City and the Newark Parks Foundation to reconsider their priorities and make Military Park a safe and clean outdoor area for its residents. If we do not take action now, we are sure that the Park will fall into disrepair once again and the City's residents will no longer be able to enjoy one of the few parks the city has to offer. 

Additional Information:

Military Park is a 6-acre city park in Downtown Newark in Newark, New Jersey. Along with Lincoln Park and Washington Park, it makes up the three downtown parks in Newark that were laid out in the colonial era. 

The Carousel, which was constructed following a $450k anonymous donation, now sits unused and uncared for. 

Recent Park Images:

Image Above: Trash and Litter in Military Park (taken July 13, 2023)

Image Above: Dead Grass in Military Park (taken Aug 4, 2023)

Image Above: Dead Grass and in Military Park (taken Aug 7, 2023)