“SPECTACULAR BEAUTY”: Trenton’s Cadwalader Park has recently seen a series of upgrades and improvements by the city and others and has welcomed a steady rise in events and activities taking place. The Cadwalader Park Alliance has just launched a new website reporting on the news, events, and history of the 137-year-old park. (Photo courtesy of Cadwalader Park Alliance)
By Donald Gilpin
Cadwalader Park, a 100-acre green space in the heart of Trenton and the only public park in New Jersey designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., is entering a new era with a number of noteworthy upgrades and a full schedule of events for all ages.
Deemed “a national treasure” by the Cadwalader Park Alliance (CPA), which has just announced the launch of a new website featuring news, events, history, and a section for memories, Cadwalader Park in recent years has seen the planting of hundreds more trees, redefined pathways, a renovated loop road, and more.
“I think it’s gorgeous at this point,” said CPA Board of Directors Co-Chair Becky Taylor, commenting on recent park improvements. “I think the park is restored to its glory, and what we’re celebrating now is the launch of our new website. It’s chock full of good stuff.”
In addition to information about the CPA itself, the website contains a detailed history of Cadwalader Park since its founding in 1888, designed by Olmsted, America’s best known landscape architect, who also designed Manhattan’s Central Park and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park; a “Memories” section in which members of the community share some of their favorite memories and photos of the park over the years; a photo gallery; and a section for all the news and events happening in the park.
Many events taking place in the Park in the coming weeks include a New Jersey Photography Forum through October 19; a Canoe Club launch; Trenton Makes Jazz with Joe Zook and Paul Plumeri on October 17; a basketball tournament and balloon release for the Week of Liberation on October 18; a peace walk and gospel concert also on October 18; ”Mel at 90,” celebrating Trenton iconic artist Mel Leipzig, on October 24; the Tour de Towpath celebrating the D&R Canal Park, which passes through Cadwalader Park; the 3rd Annual Halloween Night Zombie Fest on October 31; and daily roller skating and roller blading in the pavilion.
Many of the events will take place in the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, described by Taylor as a “wonderful, spectacular” museum, which is located in the park. See cadwaladerparkalliance.org for more details on these and other events.
“We are thrilled to launch the new website, which will serve as an easy and accessible resource for visitors of all ages and backgrounds,” said Taylor. “It will help them enjoy and engage with this remarkable park.”
CPA Treasurer Randy Baum, former landscape architect for the city of Trenton who has been affiliated with the park for many years and was involved in the creation of a master plan for the renovation of Cadwalader Park in 2001 modeled on Central Park and Prospect Park, noted that the master plan is based on Olmsted’s original design.
The CPA was reconstituted last year with a new board, Taylor noted, and she pointed out the partnership roles of the CPA and the City. “Our mission is to build excitement, awareness, and support for Cadwalader Park,” she said. “The city does the work, and the Alliance —we’re the supporters and cheerleaders. That’s why we’re excited about the website. We want people to realize various aspects about the park, both its history and what’s going on today.”
Baum pointed out that the CPA has played a major role in the creation of seven interpretive signs at different places in the park, tree planting projects, other capital improvements and major cleanups, as well as several fundraisers and successful grant proposals.
“We are supporting the city’s efforts, and as a nonprofit we may have abilities that the city does not have,” he said, adding that Cadwalader Park has been designated by a contingent of landscape architects as one of the two most important landscapes in New Jersey.
Taylor has seen steadily increasing interest and participation in the park since she moved to Trenton in 2017 with her husband and son. They live in the Hiltonia neighborhood right across from Cadwalader Park, which has become a significant part of her life.
“Its beauty is spectacular,” she said. “I walk my dog in the park every day. I feel very blessed to be able to do that. There are 100 acres here for anybody who just wants to take a lovely stroll. It’s a rolling, hilly, varied park with lots of different elements in it. It’s one beautiful thing after another.”
Mike Van Wagner, the other co-chair of the CPA’s board of directors, added his encouragement to prospective visitors. “Cadwalader Park has been upgraded significantly in the last few years by the city and others with hundreds more trees, redefined pathways, and a restored inner loop roadway,” he said. “The website features park improvements, programs, and events, but of course, the best way to experience the park is to visit. Come on out.”
See cadwaladerparkalliance.org for more information.