New Brunswick Opens $4M Liberty Square Park on Former Garage Site

Downtown New Brunswick just got greener. A 1.19-acre park now stands where the old Wolfson Parking Garage once cast its shadow. The new $4 million space sits at the meeting point of Neilson, Bayard, and Liberty Streets.

Workers put down their tools last month, marking the end of a ten-month build. The city managed the $2.34 million construction phase. A National Park Service grant, funneled through state environmental officials, paid for half the work.

"This project is about more than just revitalization — it's about creating a modern, accessible green space that supports recreation, sustainability, and the continued growth of downtown New Brunswick," said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles E. Tomaro, according to a City of New Brunswick news release.

The ground's natural slope shapes the park's design. Dogs now run free in split zones — big pups here, small ones there. Kids zip down twin slides or tackle the climbing wall, their laughter filling the air where car engines once hummed.

Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios spoke about working with city officials. "Through strong partnerships with our municipalities, we continue to reimagine underutilized spaces, transforming them into places where people can come together, relax, and build stronger communities," Rios said.

Before its makeover, this spot held 525 cars in a county-owned structure. The price tag covered everything: plans, demolition, and making sure the ground was clean. Matrix New World Engineering drew the blueprints, while A-Tech Concrete Company built it all from scratch.

Mayor Jim Cahill sees the park as vital to city life. "Open spaces like this bring balance to our lives, strengthen our neighborhoods, and help make New Brunswick not just a place where people work and study, but a place where they want to live, stay, and enjoy," Cahill said.

Commissioner Claribel A. Azcona-Barber pointed to local needs. "For years, this area was in need of a welcoming space that reflects the spirit of our city — a place to relax, connect, and enjoy the outdoors," Azcona-Barber said.

Gates swing open at dawn and close an hour after sunset, seven days straight. City workers keep the grounds clean and safe for all.