Jeff Bezos' Earth Fund backed a park on a 1.1-acre asphalt lot in Pennsylvania in 2026; here's how the project will benefit 16,000 residents

In Allentown, Pennsylvania, a 1.1 acre asphalt-covered lot is set to be transformed into a green community park. This will happen with the support from Jeff Bezos' Earth Fund. The project aims to give more than 16,000 residents access to a public space with trees, children's play area, a community garden and sports facilities.

The project is part of Bezos Earth Fund's Greening America's Cities initiative, which, in July 2026, announced a $100 million investment across eight US cities. Allentown is among the cities selected for the programme.

What is the exact plan?

The project will transform a largely asphalt-covered 1.1 acre site in one of Allentown's most heat-vulnerable neighbourhoods into Franklin Park, a community space designed around the needs of local residents.


According to the Bezos Earth Fund, the proposed park will have trees and shade structures, play areas for children, seating and tables for people of different age groups, a community garden with water access and a basketball court.

The plan also includes accessible pathways, public restrooms, signage and parking.

The project received a $4 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund to support the redevelopment. The Allentown Parknership, the charitable partner of the city's Park and Recreation Department, is working with the city and residents on the project.

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Why is the project important?

Replacing part of an asphalt-covered site with trees and green space could provide residents with more shaded outdoor areas.

The project is also intended to create a place where people can gather, exercise and spend time outdoors without having to travel far from home.

Access to parks and other green spaces remains uneven across many urban neighbourhoods. The Bezos Earth Fund says its programmes focus on underused land that can be converted into public spaces and maintained over the long term.

In Allentown, the planned facilities include areas for children to play, spaces for residents to sit together and a community garden. The basketball court will also provide an additional recreational facility for people living nearby.

The park is expected to serve more than 16,000 residents, according to the fund's announcement.

The Allentown project is one of eight urban green-space projects covered by the $100 million investment announced on July 7, 2026.

The other cities selected for the latest round of funding are Atlanta, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Sioux Falls.

The projects vary by location. They include restoring vacant land, developing neighbourhood parks, planting trees, improving walking trails and creating habitats for urban wildlife.