The New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association (“APA New Jersey”) is thrilled to announce the 2024 Planning Excellence Awards recipients and the latest communities designated Great Places in New Jersey.
These awards honor the people, plans, projects, and places embodying the highest ideals of comprehensive planning, improving physical spaces, and fostering strong, resilient, and inclusive communities that serve everyone.
Join us for an evening of celebration on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. Enjoy great company, a delicious festive food spread, and an open bar as we honor the night’s achievements!
Congratulations
Great Downtown: Hackensack
Downtown Hackensack is the vibrant core of the community, where commerce, culture, and connection unite. This dynamic area is a hub for both new and long-time residents and visitors, offering an array of retail, dining, government services, and inviting public spaces. Whether shopping, conducting business or enjoying a day in the park, Downtown Hackensack provides an inclusive setting that fosters social interaction and community engagement through diverse, well-maintained spaces and event programming.
Anchored by the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC), the downtown area draws visitors from across Bergen County. Signature events such as Hackensacktoberfest, which attracts nearly 5,000 attendees, highlight the area’s commitment to arts and culture with local cuisine, live performances, and more. Atlantic Street Park hosts concerts and exhibitions throughout the week, making Hackensack a popular destination for dining, entertainment, and socializing day and night.
Downtown Hackensack’s accessibility and walkability make it easy to explore on foot. Initiatives from the Main Street Business Alliance, such as the “Buy Local” campaign and storefront improvement programs, encourage economic growth and support the 375 businesses that call this area home. Hackensack’s streetscape program enhances the visitor experience, offering pet-friendly areas, benches, and well-tended greenery along Main Street.
Hackensack’s historic ambiance is preserved through Revolutionary War landmarks like The Green, General Enoch Poor’s statue, and Archibald Campbell’s Tavern, where George Washington once dined. These landmarks draw national visitors interested in America’s roots. Cultural spaces like the Art Gallery at HACPAC, seasonal programs at Atlantic Street Park, and Hackensack’s new “Art Alley” showcase local and nationally recognized artists, ensuring a lively atmosphere year-round.
The Main Street Business Alliance’s community-driven events, from “Dinner Under the Stars” jazz nights to small business meetups, connect locals and support economic development. Downtown Hackensack’s enduring vibrancy, welcoming atmosphere, and cultural depth make it a treasured gathering place, a vital part of the community, and worthy of being designated a “great downtown.”
Great Downtown: Dunellen
Dunellen, a charming borough in Middlesex County, is renowned for its vibrant downtown, rich history, and strong sense of community. Established as a railroad town with the construction of its station in 1867, Dunellen proudly embodies the “Miracle Mile,” which encompasses just 1.06 square miles of diverse opportunities. This bustling area showcases a variety of businesses, public spaces, and housing options, making it a lively hub where residents can eat, shop, and play. The energetic corridor along North Avenue and Washington Avenue features 118 businesses, including restaurants, retail shops, and health and fitness centers, all contributing to the area’s economic vitality.
Dunellen’s culinary scene is remarkably diverse, featuring local favorites like the Dunellen Hotel & Rathskeller, which is celebrated for its delectable lobster Reuben and other American cuisine. Long-established eateries like Rome Pizzeria, Planet Chicken, Mis Amigos, and Roscoe’s Eatery add to the vibrant mix. Newcomers like Jackie’s Sweets, Bubz Boba Bar, and El Pueblerino Taqueria further enhance the community’s cultural landscape, ensuring something to satisfy every palate. In addition to dining, independent retail shops, beauty services, and entertainment venues like the historic Dunellen Theatre offer a wealth of experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Dunellen’s commitment to community development is evident in ongoing initiatives that began over 20 years ago under former Mayor Robert J. Seader. These efforts led to the award-winning Nell at Dunellen Station, transforming a brownfield into a vibrant mixed-use space. Since taking office in 2020, Mayor Jason F. Cilento has attracted nearly $100 million in investments through new developments and facade improvements. Public parks like Washington Memorial Park provide serene spaces for relaxation and community events, reinforcing the area’s social fabric. With excellent transit options, including NJ Transit services to New York City, Dunellen is a model of livability, making it an exceptional place to live, work, and visit.
Great Public Space: Musconetcong Island Park
Musconetcong Island Park is a remarkable public space located in the Village of Asbury, straddling the municipalities of Bethlehem and Franklin Townships in Hunterdon and Warren Counties. This unique park transformed a neglected laboratory site for Asbury Carbons, covering a quarter-acre in the heart of the Musconetcong River. Deeded to the Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA), the area has undergone a significant revitalization since its opening in April 2023. It now serves as a vibrant destination for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, kayaking, and yoga, all set against the stunning backdrop of a national Wild & Scenic River.
Accessible via a staircase from the river bridge, visitors can step onto a concrete platform where the former laboratory once stood, allowing them to explore the riverbanks and enjoy picturesque views of the historic Asbury Mill across the water. The park enhances the community by promoting recreation and tourism while improving access to the Musconetcong River, a vital resource that residents previously could only access from a distant bridge. This transformation not only fosters a sense of community among the approximately 300 residents of Asbury but also serves as a serene refuge for workers in the surrounding area.
MWA’s commitment to environmental stewardship is evident through its collaboration with various partners, including the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and local organizations. The park features interpretive signage that shares its history and cultural significance, with a QR code for visitors to learn more about the site and its ecosystem. Musconetcong Island Park is designed to be inclusive and accessible, inviting everyone to experience the beauty of the river while serving as a model for green redevelopment. It is a testament to the power of community engagement and environmental restoration, making it a truly exceptional public space in New Jersey’s Highlands.
Great Street: India Square, Newark Avenue, Jersey City
Jersey City is home to the largest concentration of the Indian diaspora in the entire Western Hemisphere, with most of the City’s Indian restaurants and businesses located on a portion of Newark Avenue known as India Square. This vibrant area showcases the rich tapestry of South Asian culture and has become a dynamic hub for both residents and visitors. India Square features a dense and eclectic mix of grocery stores, restaurants, temples, shops, and housing opportunities, making it one of the most active pedestrian streets in Jersey City that thrives day and night. It comes alive during the annual Navratri and Holi festivals, transforming Newark Avenue into a joyful thoroughfare filled with music, dance, food, and thousands of people celebrating on the street.
In 2022, the City of Jersey City advanced a project to honor this community by making physical improvements to the built environment that would reflect the culture and beauty of India Square. Each design element, from street murals to decorative signage, reflects the neighborhood’s identity and the community’s spirit.
The city installed a permanent intersection mural in a style called Rangoli, an ancient Indian art form typically used to celebrate holidays and special occasions. Illuminated gateway signage was also installed featuring the lotus, a significant icon in Indian culture that symbolizes the ability to rise through obstacles with grace and beauty. Curb extensions, planters, and lighting ensure a safe and welcoming atmosphere. Art, culture, community, transportation, planning, and placemaking have helped make India Square a great place.