New York, NY —

Newark Mayor Corey Booker cut the ribbon today on a new park. Nat Turner Park is located in the city's central ward. It was once a rough area notorious for dumping and criminal activity. Booker says the revamped open space is part Newark's renaissance.

BOOKER: As each park gets built, you see a transformation both physically as well as spiritually in those neighborhoods. You see places that people used to avoid becoming points where people congregate to play, to connect, to interact.

The 9-acre park has biking paths, playgrounds and athletic fields and it's the city's largest.

Nat Turner Park is one of two dozen Mayor Booker hopes to open in Newark.