Jersey City Ward A council candidate Pam Johnson is announcing Phase 1 upgrades to Dr. Lena Edwards Park, located at 293 Pine St., after spearheading a renovation effort with community advocates and neighbors.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Even when it’s hard, we get it done. This is what partnership looks like—residents, educators, and local officials working together and following through. This project is about restoring a place that belongs to the people,” Johnson said in a statement.
“We want our children to play safely and proudly in a park that reflects the strength of this community. Dr. Lena Edwards dedicated her life to serving others. It’s only fitting that her namesake park becomes a symbol of hope and unity in Ward A. This is only the beginning.”
As of June 28th, the park was fully cleaned of trash and debris, power-washed, and had its trees trimmed by the city – marking the first step in a community-led plan to reimagine the space.
Photos shared by Johnson show the playground before and after the transformation, including a freshly painted play structure—an improvement that involved overcoming bureaucratic hurdles to ensure environmentally safe practices.
The playground painting took place on July 5th and July 7th, after the community secured approval for non-hazardous paint.
Johnson was joined in this effort by Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker (D-3), a Democratic nominee for state Assembly in the 31st Legislative District, ShoRhonda Walker, Francesca Giarratana, Kevin Rodriguez, Heather Haase, Sam Schroeder, and Jenn O’Malley of local early childhood center Three Little Birds, who played a crucial role in coordination.
County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), who is running Johnson on his ticket, praised her initiative to revitalize the Ward A park.
“Pam Johnson leads by example. She doesn’t just talk about community—she organizes, she listens, and she gets results. The transformation we’re seeing at Dr. Lena Edwards Park is exactly the kind of hands-on, community-driven progress we need more of in City Hall.”
