ENVIRONMENTAL EMPOWERMENT!! Innovative Riverfront Accessibility Project, Pathways to the River, to Hold Second Public Meeting to Reconnect Hackensack Community with Natural Spaces
(Hackensack, New Jersey; November 14, 2025) -- The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) and the Hackensack Environmental Justice Alliance (HEJA) will hold a second public meeting to discuss a groundbreaking initiative, Pathways to the River, to transform Hackensack's riverfront accessibility.
The NNJCF, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Hackensack New Jersey, continues its commitment to community quality of life through strategic environmental projects.
Comprehensive Environmental Approach
Beyond creating walkways, the project is part of the broader Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice and Flood Mitigation initiative, https://www.nnjcf.org/climate-action-mobilization-project-camp/giej/. This program addresses multiple environmental challenges, including stormwater flooding and climate change risks that disproportionately impact Latinx, Black, and other communities of color. The initiative complements the city's existing sewer separation work and aims to create a coalition of community advocates, who can drive long-term environmental protection strategies.
The public is invited to share their ideas and contribute to the project's development of the riverfront pathways at the next Pathways to the River community meeting on Saturday, November 22, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, at the Hackensack Civic Center, 215 State Street in Hackensack, New Jersey. Refreshments will be served and Spanish translation will be available. Participants may register for the meeting online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pathways-to-the-river-community-meeting.
The NNJCF and HEJA are launching this transformative project to produce a plan that creates a network of pathways encouraging more people to use the various walkways on the Hackensack riverfront. Central to the project's success is a robust community engagement approach. The project brings together community leaders, environmental experts, and local stakeholders to create a more connected, accessible urban environment along the Hackensack River.
These were some ideas expressed by Hackensack residents and others at the first Pathways to the River community meeting held on October 29 that will be incorporated into a new plan to build better pathways to the river. “The Hackensack River is a great place to be on a nice day. But the walk to it – at least in Hackensack – can be dull, and for some people, uncomfortable. Imagine it being safe, fun and educational – better crosswalks at River Street, colorful art on the street, beautiful native plants to replace the invasive weeds that can cover up the view of the river,” said Leonardo Vazquez, Executive Director, NNJCF.
The NNJCF and HEJA are working with trailing building experts, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, to create creating the project’s plan. This project – part of NNJCF’s Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice Initiative – is made possible by PSEG Foundation, M&T Charitable Foundation, and Valley Bank.
Support Pathways to the River
Donations of any size to support the project are welcome and may be made online at https://www.nnjcf.org/donation/. Contributions may also be sent by check made out to 'The Northern N.J. Community Foundation', with ‘Pathways to the River’ entered in the memo line. Send checks to the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, 1 University Plaza, Suite 102, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601.
For further information about the Pathways to the River, the sessions, or the NNJCF, contact Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP at leo@nnjcf.org or 201-568-5608, x2.
About Northern New Jersey Community Foundation
Founded in 1998, The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization based in Hackensack, New Jersey, works with local governments, school districts, businesses, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups to improve community life. Through collaborative partnerships, regional problems are identified and resolved. Opportunities are discovered and explored by talking and learning from each other and sharing ideas, best practices, services, and resources. The Foundation works to grow more creative and inspiring places, greener and healthier places, and more places of belonging and opportunity. For more information, visit www.nnjcf.org, send an email to nnjcf@nnjcf.org, or call 201-568-5608.
Photo Caption: A pathway to the river view is shown behind The Print House in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Photo Credit: Northern New Jersey Community Foundation
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