Newark Plans Playground Upgrades at Three Parks Starting in November 2026

NEWARK, California — Families who use several Newark neighborhood parks may see playground improvement work beginning this fall. The city’s Capital Projects tracker says updated play equipment has been ordered for Birch Grove Park, Jerry Raber Ash Street Park and Mirabeau Park, with installations expected in phases beginning in early November 2026.

Which parks are included?

The city lists planned playground modernization at Birch Grove Park with an estimated cost of $2.3 million, improvements at Jerry Raber Ash Street Park with an estimated cost of $1 million, and Mirabeau Park playground upgrades estimated at $620,000.

Newark Community Park is included in the broader program, but it is on a different timetable. Its proposed all-abilities play area has an estimated cost of $2.6 million and is listed for contractor bidding in late 2026.

How the work is funded

The city identifies park impact fees and a $1 million state legislative budget appropriation as funding sources. The improvements were approved by City Council in November 2025, and the municipal capital projects page describes construction starting in fall 2026.

What families should know

The projected start date is not confirmation that every playground is fenced off or rebuilt today. Families should check posted signs at a particular park before assuming its play equipment is available. An order for new equipment and a tentative construction schedule are different from a confirmed opening date.

Residents with questions can contact the city’s project engineer, Tim Au, at tim.au@newarkca.gov or 510-578-4298. The official project page provides future updates.

Source: City of Newark, Capital Projects — Park Improvements, reviewed October 31, 2026.

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