Washington Park (Newark) facts for kids

Washington Park is a cool city park in Downtown Newark. It's the most northern of three main parks in the city center, which were all planned way back when the area was first settled. This triangle-shaped park is surrounded by Broad Street, Washington Street, and Washington Place. It's a fun place to visit, with several public statues and lots of old, important buildings around it.

Skyline of Washington Park buildings like IDT, North Reformed Church, and American Insurance Company Building, seen from the Passaic River in 2015

What is Washington Park?

James Street Commons Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Location in Essex County, New Jersey Show map of Essex County, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
NRHP reference No.	78001758
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	January 9, 1978

Long ago, this park was called the North Common or the Upper Green. Today, it's part of the James Street Commons Historic District. This means the park and the buildings around it are important for their history. The park is at the northern end of Newark's main business area.

Many interesting buildings are located around the park:

• The North Reformed Church was built a long time ago, between 1857 and 1859. It's special because it was built without using any iron or steel!
• The John Ballantine House is a very important historic home. It was built in 1885 by John Ballantine, who made Ballantine beer. This house is now part of The Newark Museum of Art.
• The main Newark Public Library building opened in 1903.
• You can also see many old residential buildings called brownstones along James Street.

Several modern office buildings are also in the area, including One Washington Park and the headquarters for Audible. Plus, some parts of Rutgers-Newark university are right by the park.

Statues and Art in the Park

George Washington taking leave of troops at Rocky Hill, New Jersey.

Washington Park has several cool statues and historical markers.

• The Indian and the Puritan: This statue was made in 1916 by Gutzon Borglum. He's the famous artist who sculpted Mount Rushmore! This is one of four of his works you can find in Newark.
• George Washington: There's a statue of George Washington, the first president of the United States. It shows him saying goodbye to his soldiers at a place called Rockingham.
• Seth Boyden: This statue honors Seth Boyden, a very important person in Newark's history. He was a great inventor in the 1800s. He invented things like patent leather and made improvements to train engines.

Columbus statue removed in June 2020

Fun Events at Washington Park

Since 2009, there's a weekly event called "Wednesdays at Washington Park." From June to October, you can visit a green market to buy fresh food and enjoy outdoor concerts right in the park!

Getting to Washington Park

It's easy to get to Washington Park!

• The Newark Light Rail has a stop called Washington Park station right next to the park on Broad Street.
• Another light rail stop, Riverfront Stadium station, is just one block away.
• The Newark Broad Street station, where you can catch New Jersey Transit trains, is only two blocks north.
• Many buses also stop near the park, connecting it to other parts of Newark and even Newark Liberty International Airport.

Images for kids

• 

  Columbus statue removed in June 2020

See also

In Spanish: Plaza Harriet Tubman (Newark) para niños