Elizabeth Celebrates L. Ron Hubbard Park Renovation, Marking 75th Anniversary of Dianetics

The City of Elizabeth, New Jersey celebrated the renovation and rededication of L. Ron Hubbard Park, marking the 75th anniversary of the publication of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. City officials including Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, councilmembers, community leaders, and residents gathered at the park located at North Broad Street and Salem Avenue for the ceremony, which highlighted both historical significance and community collaboration.

The park holds particular historical importance as Elizabeth was where 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 within weeks of its release. L. Ron Hubbard established the first Dianetics Foundation in his home on Aberdeen Road in Elizabeth, attracting crowds from across America eager to learn about his work on the human mind. Today, the book remains the all-time bestselling book on the human mind with over 20 million copies sold in more than 50 languages across 206 nations.

Renovation efforts involved multiple community partners. The L. Ron Hubbard Foundation sponsored replacement of the worn park front, installation of new pavers, and restoration of the sixteen-foot-tall clock and plaque that have served as a city landmark for 25 years. Groundwork Elizabeth contributed by planting new rosebushes and azaleas, while the City of Elizabeth planted new trees for environmental and community benefits. Further improvements including additional plantings and walking paths are planned.

During the event, Mayor Bollwage commended the work completed and emphasized the value of community engagement. Jennifer Costa, President and CEO of the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, noted that the park and historic clock have become a global destination meeting point. She stated that the dedication was about both honoring the past and looking toward the future, hoping the space would inspire residents and travelers to pause, reflect, and choose actions that uplift the community.

Rev. Massimo Parrino of the L. Ron Hubbard Foundation described the renovation as just the beginning of a project to renew the park further. He emphasized that working with the City of Elizabeth, Groundwork Elizabeth, and community members allowed them to commemorate the park's history while celebrating what it represents: the power of community, spirit of service, and belief that care and cooperation can improve the world. The L. Ron Hubbard Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit organization that preserves L. Ron Hubbard's historical record and encourages application of his discoveries to address social and scientific challenges.

The event concluded with an official ribbon cutting led by Mayor Bollwage, Costa, city council members, and foundation representatives. The renovation demonstrates how public-private partnerships can revitalize community spaces while honoring historical significance, particularly as Elizabeth celebrates its role in the origins of a movement that has reached millions worldwide through Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.