Newark council reviews draft Parks Master Plan update, hears calls for more fields, restrooms and phased funding

The Newark City Council on Oct. 24 received a detailed presentation on a draft update to the city's Parks Master Plan, outlining community priorities, a park-by-park set of conceptual designs and a recommended project list that staff estimated at about $36.7 million.

The presentation, led by Roya Gonzales, the city's strategic initiatives manager, and Barbara Lundberg of RHAA, summarized community outreach — including a months-long online survey with about 470 responses and in-person events such as Newark Days — and a gap analysis that identified playground replacement, restrooms, field maintenance and improved pathways as the highest priorities.

The plan covers all city parks and offers conceptual improvements ranging from restrooms and new playgrounds at Lakeshore Park, Birchgrove Park and Newark Community Park, to enhanced multi-sport fields at Sportsfield Park and MacGregor Playfields. Lundberg said children's play areas, restroom upgrades and field maintenance ranked high in the community's prioritization exercise. Gonzales said staff will return with a final plan and a recommended prioritized project list for council consideration in mid-2025.

Why it matters: The update is the city's first comprehensive parks master plan review since 2017 and will guide capital improvements and operating demands that affect neighborhoods, sports leagues and park users citywide. The plan ties recommended…