Court rules that Edgewater condo association must open its 900-foot stretch of waterfront to the public

This will connect one of final gaps in the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway Gap sites in the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway include Admiral's Walk in Edgewater FBW | January 27, 2023 "The courts have yet again upheld the rights of the public to access New Jersey's waterfronts under the Public Trust [...]

Court rules that Edgewater condo association must open its 900-foot stretch of waterfront to the public2023-04-12T16:03:46-04:00

Mapping New York City’s trees, monitoring their health and documenting their invaluable benefits

The NYC Tree Map is the most comprehensive and up-to-date living tree map in the world Detail of NYC Tree Map showing a portion of Prospect Park in Brooklyn and streets to the east. FBW | January 2, 2023 On the south shore of Prospect Park Lake in Brooklyn, stands [...]

Mapping New York City’s trees, monitoring their health and documenting their invaluable benefits2023-01-02T09:03:48-05:00

Urban design flaws afflict North End Plan

An amended North End Plan will go back to a first reading/vote by the Hoboken City Council on Wed. night February 17 at 7 pm. Image 1: North End Redevelopment Plan: massing illustration. Image 2: North End Redevelopment Plan: rendering of building along 15th Street looking east. Image [...]

Urban design flaws afflict North End Plan2021-02-10T19:22:54-05:00

The Central Park effect: value added from public parks

The award-winning public park at Hoboken's South Waterfront built in the 1990s. by Ron Hine | FBW | January 2, 2021 Frederick Law Olmsted was among the first to undertake a study showing that parks increase property values. In 1856, a year before construction began, Olmsted estimated that the three [...]

The Central Park effect: value added from public parks2020-12-31T11:48:26-05:00

10,000 people take to the streets and waterfront parks of Hoboken in historic protest

Friday's historic protest march in Hoboken ended at Pier A Park. Photo by Ron Bautista. FBW | June 10, 2020 On Friday, June 6, 2020, ten thousand people took to the streets of Hoboken, beginning at Maxwell Place Park, marching along Sinatra Drive to Pier A Park, pausing in front of City Hall, [...]

10,000 people take to the streets and waterfront parks of Hoboken in historic protest2020-06-17T15:53:12-04:00

The case for keeping parks & public spaces open – Part II

Liberty State Park, 600 acres of much needed public open space in Jersey City, New Jersey, will reopen on May 2 Subscribe to City of Hoboken Nixle Alerts to get daily updates on the coronavirus FBW | April 29, 2020 The following articles published this month are but a few that argue [...]

The case for keeping parks & public spaces open – Part II2020-04-30T14:01:48-04:00

The case for keeping parks & public spaces open

Central Park in New York City. Subscribe to City of Hoboken Nixle Alerts to get daily updates on the coronavirus FBW | April 16, 2020 Across the country and around the world, governments have grappled with how to contain the coronavirus pandemic. In some places, governors and mayors have ordered park closures [...]

The case for keeping parks & public spaces open2020-04-15T22:14:21-04:00

In Hoboken and across the nation, parks close as the coronavirus takes its toll

Church Square Park in Hoboken, New Jersey. Photo by Paul Schoenberger. But look! here come more crowds, pacing straight for the water, and seemingly bound for a dive. Strange! Nothing will content them but the extremest limit of the land; loitering under the shady lee of yonder warehouses will not suffice. No. They [...]

In Hoboken and across the nation, parks close as the coronavirus takes its toll2020-04-08T14:15:21-04:00

Public spaces in the time of coronavirus

The end of Pier A Park at Hoboken waterfront Subscribe to City of Hoboken Nixle Alerts to get daily updates on the coronavirus FBW | March 26, 2020 Our city, our country and the world are facing a crisis like no other in our lifetimes. Hoboken and our entire county are at [...]

Public spaces in the time of coronavirus2020-04-10T09:26:09-04:00

Landscape design for Hoboken’s Columbus Park still shines 108 years later

Noted landscape architect Charles Lowrie designed Columbus and other Hudson County Parks FBW | February 12, 2020 Walking through Columbus Park, one is struck by the pavilion, designed to be the centerpiece of the park, and the massive London Plane trees planted throughout. The roof cornice of the [...]

Landscape design for Hoboken’s Columbus Park still shines 108 years later2020-02-14T21:11:37-05:00

A victorious “yes” vote on Questions 1 and 2 would ensure funding to complete final links for Hoboken’s waterfront park

FBW | October 18, 2019 On election day, voters will have an opportunity to approve amendments to the Municipal Open Space Trust Fund (OSTF) that would ensure completion of Hoboken’s waterfront park, as well as other park sites throughout the city. Currently, the OSTF ordinance allots 2 cents per $100 [...]

A victorious “yes” vote on Questions 1 and 2 would ensure funding to complete final links for Hoboken’s waterfront park2020-02-05T17:59:06-05:00

The Legacy of Central Park: How Downing, Vaux and Olmsted Set the Standard for American Parks

Olmsted & Vaux original design for Central Park FBW | August 30, 2018 It is hard to imagine what New York City would be like without Central Park. The enormity of the vision that created Central Park profoundly changed the nature of Manhattan and development of urban parks across [...]

The Legacy of Central Park: How Downing, Vaux and Olmsted Set the Standard for American Parks2019-01-09T23:58:39-05:00

Will Hoboken Shipyard’s Pier 13 bring bad luck for public access?

Gated entrance to Shipyard's Pier 13 sends message to public that this is "private property." FBW | May 8, 2013 In 1820, a New Jersey man was collecting oysters along the shores when he was challenged as a trespasser by the upland property owner. The dispute reached the New Jersey Supreme Court, where [...]

Will Hoboken Shipyard’s Pier 13 bring bad luck for public access?2019-01-15T19:19:18-05:00

William H. Whyte on what makes public spaces fail & what makes them succeed

In the 1980s Bryant Park was redesigned following the recommendations of the Street Life Project. FBW | March 19, 2013 Given the fact that the Municipal Art Society released the remarkable study entitled The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces in 1979, this film review is somewhat late. The clothing and hairstyles of [...]

William H. Whyte on what makes public spaces fail & what makes them succeed2019-01-15T19:55:28-05:00

Hoboken’s original plan and first parks established in 1804

1909 Hoboken map showing Hudson Square. (Credit: Hoboken Historical Museum) FBW  | May 3, 2012 It began with a plan. In 1804, Col. John Stevens hired surveyor Charles Loss to create a plan for the new City of Hoboken. Col. Stevens owned 564 acres that would become much of the city as it is [...]

Hoboken’s original plan and first parks established in 18042019-01-15T21:22:19-05:00

What do Zuccotti Park and Hudson River Walkway have in common?

Imposing gates at Weehaken, NJ's Riva Pointe send message: public keep out. FBW | October 20, 2011 Thanks to Occupy Wall Street, Zuccotti Park, a small privately owned "public" park, has become a household name. The plaza bonus provisions provided by New York City’s 1961 zoning created a proliferation of private spaces that [...]

What do Zuccotti Park and Hudson River Walkway have in common?2020-06-10T16:44:40-04:00
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