Military Park

Military Park

A Cultural Town Square 

Historic Military Park serves as the central downtown gathering space for the Newark community and visitors. The park was the original Middle Commons when Newark was founded in 1666. The triangular, six-acre park is bound by Broad St, Park Place, and Rector Street.

The park was laid out by Robert Treat, serving as a training ground during the French and Indian War and a campground for George Washington’s troops during the American Revolution. Following the Revolutionary War, the Commons was converted into a public park, though it briefly revived its military purpose during the War of 1812. Civil War soldiers were recruited in the park, and during World War I, the park served as both a recruiting station and as the location of Red Cross and Liberty Loans campaigns. Inside today’s Military Park, you can enjoy a meal at The Yard, take part in dynamic public programs, and enjoy its monuments and public art.