Essex County Branch Brook Park is more than a beautiful, historic green space nestled within the bustling city of Newark. It stands as a transformative hub, providing countless opportunities and resources for Newark residents – but it wasn’t always this way.

Jersey Cares established Care of the Park (also known as Branch Brook Park Alliance) several years ago to act on a clear vision: to transform Branch Brook Park from an underutilized, overgrown expanse into a vibrant space where Newark residents could safely gather, relish nature, and connect with their community. Presently, with the invaluable assistance of numerous volunteers and park ambassadors, Jersey Cares has elevated this vision to reality.

Through Care of the Park, Jersey Cares preserves and protects the architectural masterpiece of landscape design within Essex County Branch Brook Park. Concurrently, a diverse range of activities and programs are organized throughout the year, aimed at promoting health, wellness, and communal bonding among Newark residents, including yoga classes, arts and crafts activities, wellness events, and the annual Branch Brook Park Fest in October. These initiatives represent crucial opportunities for the local community to get outside, learn about nature, practice positive heath habits, and socialize in a safe environment.

“I’m grateful for the community that has grown at Branch Brook Park as a result of Care of the Park,” said a local Newark resident. “My friends and I gather after classes to share amongst ourselves how all these initiatives have uplifted our mental, physical, and social well-being.”

Jersey Cares amplifies even more opportunities for the local Newark community through the impactful Branch Brook Park Ambassadors program. From mid-July to mid-August annually, a dedicated cohort of Newark Public High School students invests their time and effort in nurturing the park while honing essential workforce development skills. In the role of ambassadors, students receive firsthand knowledge of diverse gardening techniques under the guidance of park experts. They also engage in immersive workshops focused on enhancing job readiness skills. As a culmination of their experience, students undertake a self-designed capstone project, allowing them to apply their newfound skills and make a tangible contribution to the park and the community.

“While having extra hands weeding, watering, and cleaning is always appreciated, especially during the dog days of summer, the presence of the Park Ambassadors impacts the park in more intangible but deeply impactful ways,” said Kelley Forsyth, Horticulturist at Care of the Park.

The Branch Brook Park Ambassador program has proven to be a pivotal influence on numerous students’ career trajectories. Amani Hill, a Park Ambassador in 2021, stands as a prime example. Her exposure to the program not only sparked the creation of a pollinator garden at her high school but also fueled her passion to pursue a career in Wildlife Biology.

In a similar vein, a Park Ambassador from 2023 secured a job during her tenure in the program, acknowledging the workshops that significantly refined her interviewing skills.

Furthermore, some students found themselves drawn back to the park, choosing to work as seasonal employees, driven by the simple notion that “working in the park was the best!” – a testament to the profound and positive experiences gained during their time as Park Ambassadors.

For many young people in Newark, extended exposure to the outdoors is a rarity. The Branch Brook Park Ambassadors program offers a unique and transformative experience for students to immerse themselves in nature, broadening their horizons and offering a fresh perspective.

While the transformation of Branch Brook Park over the past several years is something to celebrate, the work doesn’t stop here. The dedicated Care of the Park team at Jersey Cares consistently assess opportunities to enhance the park’s physical spaces, curate impactful programming for Newark residents, and elevate the overall health and wellness of the local community.

If you are interested in delving deeper into the initiatives of Care of the Park, exploring upcoming events, or dedicating your time as a volunteer, we invite you to visit Jersey Cares’ website for more information and ways to get involved.