Good Christie is Opening Up Trenton Waterfront

The state of New Jersey announced a new park that will connect downtown Trenton to the Delaware riverfront via a pedestrian bridge today. We support this project because it is important to help revitalize Trenton’s waterfront. The $18.5 million riverfront project will construct the pedestrian bridge from the roof of the Statehouse parking garage over Route 29 to a 4.5-acre strip of land that will be developed into a park by the DEP. The new park will be named Trenton Falls Park, which will connect to downtown areas like Stacy Park and Mill Hill. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“It is important that the state is building a new pedestrian bridge and park to connect Trenton residents to the waterfront. We need this area to help revitalize the city, but more importantly so people can actually use the existing park. We need access the existing open space that is held in the public trust. Currently, the open space along the waterfront is not accessible because of the highway and highway wall. Now this project will offer greater connectivity to the waterfront from the Statehouse and from the downtown areas.”

“We also support the project because it will bring new economic development into the community. What the state should do is look at cities like Portland, Oregon and New Providence, Rhode Island where they have taken back the waterfront by getting rid of nearby highways. We should also look at expanding this park as a catalyst for re-development of stores, cafes, and apartments next to the park. This could include a long few mile Riverwalk that can be found in many cities across the U.S.”

“Trenton needs waterfront access and a new park to make the city more connected and improve quality of life. We need to revitalize this area and fix the mistakes of the past. Waterfront parks should have pedestrian access, but for far too long residents have not had adequate access to the Delaware River. Now with this new project, it will encourage a more walkable community with many people enjoying the outdoors for recreation. With Rt. 29 blocking access to the Delaware River, it is difficult for people to enjoy its aesthetic value. This project will be critical to changing the face of Trenton and connecting people to the environment.”

Contact: Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club, 609-558-9100