Nat Turner Park

Located in Newark’s Central Ward, Nat Turner Park is both a staple of the neighborhood and a testament to community resilience and cultural expression. The 9-acre park is the largest city-owned park in Newark, providing a recreational space for 19,000 residents including 7,000 children.

50 years ago, this area was an unused, neglected plot. Local activists fought to transform it into a public park. Named in honor of Nat Turner, a preacher who led a historic rebellion against slavery in Virginia in 1831, the park commemorates a legacy of resistance. According to Richard Whitten, the Co-President of United Parks as One, it is the only park in the United States named after Nat Turner.

By the early 2000’s, however, the park had fallen into disrepair. Community members, with the support of Trust for Public Land, rallied to rehabilitate Nat Turner Park. Residents partnered with the Trust for Public land and Newark City Public Schools on a community-oriented design process. Together, they decided that art would play a major role in the design of the park, particularly art that celebrated African American music.

Today, visitors are welcomed by sculptures created by the late Jerry Gant, a beloved Newark artist. Installed at each of the park’s four entrances, his work pays tribute to Black musical traditions. The sculptures are integrated into the park’s fencing, transforming a utilitarian feature into a powerful artistic statement. Inside the park, at the Nat Turner Park amphitheater, there is a tile mosaic designed by Katherine Hackl. Hackl led a series of workshops with community members to design, carve and paint the tiles.  The mosaic includes more than 150 tiles created by community members at workshops Hackl held.

Whitten wants people to remember the cultural significance of the art at Nat Turner Park and the influence that the community had on the design. “A couple weeks ago we had a meeting with some young people who live close to Nat Turner Park. They were not aware of some of the intricacies within the park, like the artwork,” he said. “A lot of times when we don’t understand our history, we make these presumptions about what is and what is not.”

Residents are encouraged to get involved with the park. Visit unitedparksasone.org for information on public meetings and volunteer events. This year, the organization is also planning to host several events at Nat Turner involving art, dance, and spoken word performances. 

Nat Turner Park is a monument to struggle, creativity and community spirit. Whether through volunteering, attending events, or simply learning about its history, residents play an important role in keeping the park alive.