Barbour Park

From Troubled Spot to Shared Retreat

Tucked between Fair Street and Broadway in Paterson's 4th ward, Barbour Park might be small at just 1.4 acres, but its story is anything but. This pocket park has seen quite the journey - from a place once known as "Syringe Central" due to rampant drug activity, to the vibrant community space it is today.

The Power of Local Action

When things were at their worst, a group of neighborhood heroes who called themselves "Occupy Barbour Park" refused to give up on this green space. They rolled up their sleeves and got to work - putting up a fence, monitoring who came in, picking up trash, and adding some greenery. Their grassroots efforts laid the groundwork for the park's comeback, creating a place where families could actually feel welcome again.

A New Chapter Begins

The transformation kicked into high gear in 2021 when Mayor Andre Sayegh, the City Council, and local advocacy group "Paterson Cares" joined forces to give Barbour Park the full revival it deserved.

A $1.2 Million Makeover

The city broke ground on an ambitious renovation project in April 2024, completing the work just five months later in September. This $1.2 million investment wasn't just about aesthetics - it was a statement about the neighborhood's worth and potential.

Today, the reimagined park is a bright spot for local residents and students from neighboring School No. 6. What makes this transformation so meaningful isn't just the physical improvements, but how it's helping to restore a sense of safety and belonging to an area that needed it. A place that was once avoided has become a point of pride for the neighborhood - showing how community determination and proper support can transform even the most challenged spaces.