Harriet Tubman Square
Harriet Tubman Square
A Touchstone of Newark History, Culture, and Community Engagement
Previously Washington Park, the renaming of the park to Harriet Tubman Square marks a pivotal moment acknowledging underrepresented history in Newark and our country. “Shadow of a Face,” the Harriet Tubman Monument unveiled in 2023, was designed by New Jersey native Nina Cooke John and it includes tiles created by residents. Audio from Newark’s own Queen Latifah and others narrate stories about Tubman and the city’s history of Black liberation.
Located on the main thoroughfare of Broad Street, Harriet Tubman Square is the green space anchor of historic Newark institutions such as the Newark Museum of Art and the Newark Public Library. Just a short walk to Halsey Street shopping and dining, the surrounding neighborhood is not only home to cultural institutions such as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), but also centers of education and innovation including North Star Academy, Rutgers-Newark Business School, Audible’s Innovation Cathedral, and Newark Venture Partners. From the historic brownstones along James Street to the modern amenity-filled Walker House and Kislak Building, the opportunities to call our Harriet Tubman Square neighborhood ‘home’ continue to grow.
Sounds of the Park
Harriet Tubman Square Highlights
Harriet Tubman Square Improvement Project
Honoring History. Creating Space. Inspiring Community
The Harriet Tubman Square Improvement Project is a multi-phase initiative to transform one of Newark’s most historic public spaces into a vibrant, inclusive, and engaging civic commons that celebrates culture, community, and legacy.
Phase 2: Coming Fall 2025
Phase 2 will build upon this vision with significant park improvements that preserve the rich history of the Square as a central feature in the surrounding James Street Commons Historic District while enhancing everyday experiences for residents and visitors alike. Planned features include:
A new children’s playground designed for play, learning, and imagination
A comfort station and public amenities designed by Nina Cooke John
An updated event plaza for performances, festivals, and community gatherings
Improved walkways and entryways for better access and flow
Enhanced lighting, wayfinding signage, and landscaping to ensure beauty, safety, and ease of navigation
Continued efforts to preserve and interpret the historical significance of the park and neighborhood
This next chapter reflects our commitment to creating a dynamic, accessible, and culturally rooted public space—where history is honored and the future is shaped by community.
Stay tuned for construction updates and ways to get involved.
Park Moments
