City officials, community leaders, and residents gathered at L. Ron Hubbard Park in Elizabeth, New Jersey, for a celebration to rededicate the recently renovated park. The event marked the 75th anniversary of the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, which has its origins in the city. Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, councilmembers, and representatives from local organizations participated in the ceremony, which included a ribbon-cutting.
The park, located at the corner of North Broad Street and Salem Avenue, underwent significant improvements through a collaborative effort. The L. Ron Hubbard Foundation sponsored the replacement of the worn park front, installation of new pavers, and restoration of a sixteen-foot-tall clock and plaque that have served as a city landmark for 25 years. The foundation is a nonprofit public benefit organization that preserves the historical record of L. Ron Hubbard's research.
Additional contributions came from community partners. Groundwork Elizabeth supported the project by planting new rosebushes and azaleas, while the City of Elizabeth planted new trees, providing long-term environmental and community benefits. Further improvements are planned, including additional plantings and walking paths.
The renovation holds historical significance for Elizabeth, a city known for its numerous American firsts. It was in Elizabeth that the global Dianetics movement began after Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health launched on May 9, 1950. The book spent 28 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List and went to reprint just weeks after release. L. Ron Hubbard opened the first Dianetics Foundation in his home on Aberdeen Road, attracting crowds eager to learn about his work on the human mind. Today, the book has sold over 20 million copies, is available in over 50 languages across 206 nations, and remains the all-time bestselling book on the human mind.
During the event, Mayor Bollwage commended the renovation work and emphasized the value of community engagement. Jennifer Costa, President and CEO of the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, noted the park's role as more than a local landmark. "This park and the historic clock behind us have become a global destination meeting point," Costa stated. "Today is not just a moment we honor the past but it's about looking forward to the future. As we dedicate this park, may this place continue to inspire people – our residents and travelers alike – to pause, to reflect, and to choose actions that uplift our community higher."
Rev. Massimo Parrino of the L. Ron Hubbard Foundation described the renovation as just the start of a project to renew the park further. "Working together with the City of Elizabeth, great organizations such as Groundwork Elizabeth, many wonderful friends and neighbors – we not only commemorate the history of this park, but celebrate its renovation and what it represents: the power of community, the spirit of service, and the enduring belief that we can make the world around us better through care, commitment, and cooperation," Parrino said.
The park's renovation and rededication demonstrate how public-private partnerships can enhance community spaces while honoring local history. For Elizabeth residents, the improved park offers a revitalized green space for recreation and reflection. For the broader community, it serves as a tangible link to a significant cultural and intellectual milestone that originated in the city. The ongoing plans for additional improvements suggest the park will continue to evolve as a community asset, blending historical commemoration with practical urban beautification.
