Walking trail, upgraded playground planned for George Read Park

A new walking trail and other upgrades are coming to George Read Park.

The $315,000 project will be funded with money from the American Rescue Plan Act and other grants. The 2.8-acre park is located on Delaware Circle in the George Read Village neighborhood.

Parks and Recreation Director Paula Ennis noted that the park likely will see greater use in the coming years as the Newark Housing Authority builds a new, larger affordable housing project in George Read Village.

The 6-feet-wide paved walking trail will provide recreational opportunities as well as a more accessible way for residents of the surrounding neighborhood to get to Delaware Avenue and Newark High School. There are currently gates in the park's fence that provide access to Delaware Avenue, but pedestrians have to walk through a grassy field to reach them.

“That area does serve an older community, and the ADA access is really key to that area,” said Councilwoman Corinth Ford, who represents the neighborhood surrounding the park.

Also included in the project is a new basketball court to replace one that is in need of repair, plus new playground equipment, benches and picnic tables.

As part of the work, the city's contractor will upgrade the parking lot and park entrance to meet modern accessibility standards.

Construction is expected to begin late this summer and take approximately four months to complete.